Red Ruffed Lemur
ExploreMammals
Red Ruffed Lemur
varecia rubra
The red ruffed lemur is one of the largest and most striking lemurs in Madagascar, instantly recognizable by its rich, rust-colored coat and dramatic black markings. Endemic to the lush rainforests of the Masoala Peninsula, this highly social primate lives in female-dominated groups, spending most of its time high up in the forest canopy. They play a crucial ecological role as primary seed dispersers, feeding on fruit and nectar that other animals cannot easily reach. Fascinatingly, they are incredibly vocal creatures, producing loud, raucous choruses that echo through the jungle to mark territory or warn of predators. Unlike many other primates, mothers do not carry their young constantly; instead, they build sophisticated nests in the tree branches, making them unique among diurnal primates.
Habitat: Found in the dense canopy of primary, moist lowland tropical rainforests on the Masoala Peninsula of Madagascar.
Appearance
The red ruffed lemur features a brilliant, thick coat of deep rust-red fur covering its back and flanks, contrasted sharply by a jet-black face, tail, belly, and limbs. A distinct patch of white fur sits at the nape of the neck, and they have fluffy, ruffed cheeks that give them a bearded appearance. They possess striking, amber-yellow eyes and a dog-like snout, with a total head-body length of 50 to 60 cm and a long, bushy black tail that extends another 60 cm.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPrimatesFamilyLemuridaeGenusVarecia
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Rather than carrying their newborns on their bellies or backs, mothers construct nests of leaves high in the trees to park their infants.
They are among the main pollinators of the Traveler's Palm; because of their size, they can pry open the tough flower bracts to reach nectar.
They have a highly matriarchal society, where dominant females lead the group, choose foraging routes, and feed first.
Special abilities
Ability
Loud Chorusing
Emits powerful, raucous vocalizations that can coordinate group movements and warn of predators across vast forest distances.
Ability
Suspension Feeding
Capable of hanging upside down by its hind feet to reach ripe, heavy fruits hanging at the tips of delicate branches.
Ability
Nest Building
Unlike most other diurnal primates, mothers construct elaborate nests high in the trees to shelter and protect their newborns.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-60 cm
- Weight
- 3-4.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-5
- Incubation
- 90-106 days
Diet & Feeding
Feeds heavily on ripe fruits, flowers, seeds, and nectar, occasionally consuming young leaves and fungi.
Primary Foods
- Fig fruits
- Traveler's palm nectar
- Liana leaves
- Forest flowers
Foraging Method
- Foraging212132333605500000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000500000000000000000000000050000005005000000500000005000000050000500000000000000000050000000050000050505050505000500050005000050500050050505005000000000000000000050000000000000505050505000000000000000000050000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Ecological connections
eaten by
Fossa
Cryptoprocta ferox
The fossa is the primary native mammalian predator of the red ruffed lemur.
mutualism
Traveler's Palm
Ravenala madagascariensis
The lemur feeds on the palm's nectar, transferring pollen on its snout and acting as a primary pollinator.
eaten by
Madagascar Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides radiatus
Young and juvenile lemurs are occasionally preyed upon by large birds of prey like the harrier-hawk.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red Ruffed Lemur?
The easiest way to identify Red Ruffed Lemur is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Red Ruffed Lemur?
50-60 cm
How much does Red Ruffed Lemur weigh?
3-4.5 kg
How long does Red Ruffed Lemur live?
15-20 years
How fast can Red Ruffed Lemur move?
25 km/h
What does Red Ruffed Lemur eat?
Feeds heavily on ripe fruits, flowers, seeds, and nectar, occasionally consuming young leaves and fungi.
Where is Red Ruffed Lemur usually found?
Found in the dense canopy of primary, moist lowland tropical rainforests on the Masoala Peninsula of Madagascar.
How does Red Ruffed Lemur hunt?
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Zoo15 sightings12 species
Tennessee, US
Memphis Zoo
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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
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Silesian Voivodeship, PL
Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny
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