Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)


MORPHOLOGY:
The average body mass is around 3.6 kilograms. Like other true lemurs this species has a rhinarium at the end of its snout. The females of this species have three pairs of mammary glands. Also in females, the vulva is only open during estrus.

RANGE:
This species is found in Madagascar along the East coast living in the canopy of the rainforests.
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur


Red Ruffed Lemur ECOLOGY:
This is primarily a frugivorous species.

LOCOMOTION:
This arboreal species moves quadrupedally through the trees.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR:
This is a monogamous species in which the pair and its offspring form the social group.


VOCAL COMMUNICATION:
alarm call: this call starts out as a grunt, but with duration turns into a roar.

contact calls: these calls between mother and infant tend to be soft in volume.

OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION:
As with all of the true lemurs, olfactory communication is important for this species. Anogenital secretions seem to be important for the ruffed lemur.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION:

TACTILE COMMUNICATION:
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur


Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur REPRODUCTION:
Typically this species gives birth to a single offspring, however twins have been observed. The females are only fertile for one day out of the year (Fleagle, 1988).



REFERENCES:
Burton, F. 1995. The Multimedia Guide to the Non-human Primates. Prentice-Hall Canada Inc.

Fleagle, J. G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press.


Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur


Last Updated: April 27, 2004.
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Red Ruffed Lemur