Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) - Primate with the face of a fox

Like the Indri the Ring-tailed lemur is a prosimian which inhabits Madagascar. This large island is among the most fascinating but also most endangered habitats. Madagascar was seperated from Africa at an early stage of the continental drift, resulting in an evolution of a unique flora and fauna. Favoured by the absence of higher primates, especially the prosimians and among those the lemurs evolved to a variety, which cannot be found elsewhere.

Many prosimian species inhabit the rainforests of Madagascar and are extremely endangered by the destruction of their habitat. Ring-tailed lemurs are not affected that dramatically by this development, since they are quite flexible in choosing their habitat. They can be found in forests as well as in savannah regions. Nevertheless the numbers of Ring-tailed lemurs seem to decline because of the expansion of human settlements. In contrast to many other lemur species, Ring-tailed lemurs are active during the day. They stay on the ground quite often, but are also able to climb the highest treetops. Typical for lemurs is a face that resembles the face of a fox. Even more conspicuous is their tail with alternating black and white rings. It reaches a length of 55 cm, 10 cm more than their body length. The tail is very well suited for balancing a Ring-tailed lemur sitting on a thin branch, but is also used to balance leaps from one branch to another. It also plays an important role during social interactions. While walking on the ground, Ring-tailed lemurs put up their tails, which serve as identification markings. Using their tails, the males hold their "stink duels". They spread secretions of their upper arm glands on their tails and wave them in the direction of the rival. Hierarchy conflicts are settled this way and also territories are defended against other groups using the tails.

Ring-tailed lemur groups consist of 20 to 25 individuals, adult males and females and young of all ages. The group defends a small territory of 5 to 20 hectares, which is marked by secretions of anus and arm glands. Ring-tailed lemurs are most of all vegetarians. They love sunbathing, when they sit orientated towards the sun with their arms and legs extended for a long time.

The young of a group are born more or less simultaneously. Newborn Ring-tailed lemurs have blue eyes. With increasing age they become bright yellow. Normally the female gives birth to a single young. It is carried by its mother clinging to the fur of her belly. When grown older the young rides on its mother's back and goes on outings more and more often. Females of the same group help each other raising their young.

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