| 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. |
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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: |
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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. |
