Lemur catta

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Ring-tailed lemur
French : Lémur catta, Maki catta

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Primata
Family : Lemuridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 46 cm, tail length of 63 cm, weight of 2.2 kg. Unmistakable with its very long furry black tail with conspicuous white rings. White head with black eye contour, muzzle and crown. Grey-brown fur with white belly.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Madagascar and occurs on the south of the island, mostly in South West and with two isolated populations on south-east Plateau. Lives in many kinds of forests, from tropical dry to montane humid forests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species was thought to be relatively safe but its numbers are alarmingly declining because of loss of habitat and hunting throughout its range.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

Back to “Lemurs and relatives” page