Kalina1966
IMG_0821 Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)
An endangered species.
The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is one of the most well-known and recognizable species of lemurs. Both male and female L. catta measure about 42.5 cm in length, and weigh roughly 2.2 kg in the wild.
Although they are often found climbing trees, L. catta spend more time on the ground than any other lemur (about 15-20 percent of the day), so they are often called terrestrial. L. catta prefers trees with horizontal branches, where it can rest comfortably. L. catta follows an herbivorous diet, consisting of various plants and fruits. Favourites include tamarind pods (known as kily pods in Madagascar). They often lick rain and morning dew from leaves as a water source. In the dry season, when there is not enough water on nearby vegetation, L. catta may make the trip to a nearby river to drink. They feed first in the morning, and then again in the evening after their siesta. They eat food that has fallen onto the ground, as well as feed in trees to reach pods and berries that are still attached to branches.
One type of animal that ring-tailed lemurs look out for are hawks. When a hawk passes by overhead, the lemurs sound a high-pitched shriek alarm call, and move downward to lower bushes to conceal themselves. If a lemur recognizes a ground animal as a potential predator, they begin a series of clicks and synchronized barks and stare the animal down.
L. catta live in troops of around 20 members. Troops travel together from tree to tree when looking for food or when deciding where to stay for siesta. They often sit together in clumps, creating body contact and closeness for grooming. When a lemur wants to be groomed, it presents a body part to a partner, and the partner responds by grasping the fur and licking it or scraping it with a tooth. Grooming is usually done mutually, with both lemurs grooming each other at the same time. Ring-tailed lemurs also take part in play, including chasing each other around in circles and jumping on each other to wrestle. L. catta are very vocal, and use barks, howls, screams, clicks and purring.
The breeding season of L. catta begins in April. Young ring-tailed lemurs grow in their mothers’ wombs for about 4½ months before being born, and 1-2 offspring are born. At birth, the infant lemurs are about 10 cm long, very thin, and already have the beginnings of rings on the tail. The mothers provide most of the parental care, and carry the young lemurs around on their chests or backs. The young receive grooming from many females of the troop, who are very interested in caring for babies even when they are not their own.
IMG_0821 Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)
An endangered species.
The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is one of the most well-known and recognizable species of lemurs. Both male and female L. catta measure about 42.5 cm in length, and weigh roughly 2.2 kg in the wild.
Although they are often found climbing trees, L. catta spend more time on the ground than any other lemur (about 15-20 percent of the day), so they are often called terrestrial. L. catta prefers trees with horizontal branches, where it can rest comfortably. L. catta follows an herbivorous diet, consisting of various plants and fruits. Favourites include tamarind pods (known as kily pods in Madagascar). They often lick rain and morning dew from leaves as a water source. In the dry season, when there is not enough water on nearby vegetation, L. catta may make the trip to a nearby river to drink. They feed first in the morning, and then again in the evening after their siesta. They eat food that has fallen onto the ground, as well as feed in trees to reach pods and berries that are still attached to branches.
One type of animal that ring-tailed lemurs look out for are hawks. When a hawk passes by overhead, the lemurs sound a high-pitched shriek alarm call, and move downward to lower bushes to conceal themselves. If a lemur recognizes a ground animal as a potential predator, they begin a series of clicks and synchronized barks and stare the animal down.
L. catta live in troops of around 20 members. Troops travel together from tree to tree when looking for food or when deciding where to stay for siesta. They often sit together in clumps, creating body contact and closeness for grooming. When a lemur wants to be groomed, it presents a body part to a partner, and the partner responds by grasping the fur and licking it or scraping it with a tooth. Grooming is usually done mutually, with both lemurs grooming each other at the same time. Ring-tailed lemurs also take part in play, including chasing each other around in circles and jumping on each other to wrestle. L. catta are very vocal, and use barks, howls, screams, clicks and purring.
The breeding season of L. catta begins in April. Young ring-tailed lemurs grow in their mothers’ wombs for about 4½ months before being born, and 1-2 offspring are born. At birth, the infant lemurs are about 10 cm long, very thin, and already have the beginnings of rings on the tail. The mothers provide most of the parental care, and carry the young lemurs around on their chests or backs. The young receive grooming from many females of the troop, who are very interested in caring for babies even when they are not their own.