Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)

            Island of Madagascar
Off The East Coast Of Africa
Akanin'ny Nofy 
Palmarium Reserve

Closeup of a black and white ruffed lemur. At Palmarium Reserve, we saw several families of this animal, some with youngsters. Most of the time, they were high in the trees, but sometimes they came down lower to check out the visitors. 

Wikipedia- The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is a Critically Endangered species of ruffed lemur, the more endangered one of two which are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities and reproductively isolated. It also has less coverage and protection in large national parks than the red ruffed lemur. Three subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur have been recognized since the red ruffed lemur was elevated to species status in 2001. 

Together with the red ruffed lemur, they are the largest extant members of the family Lemuridae, ranging in length from 100 to 120 cm (3.3 to 3.9 ft) and weighing between 3.1 and 4.1 kg (6.8 and 9.0 lb). They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the high canopy of the seasonal rainforests on the eastern side of the island. They are also diurnal, active exclusively in daylight hours. 

Quadrupedal locomotion is preferred in the trees and on the ground, and suspensory behavior is seen during feeding. As the most frugivorous of lemurs, the diet consists mainly of fruit, although nectar and flowers are also favored, followed by leaves and some seeds.

The black-and-white ruffed lemur has a complex social structure and is known for its loud, raucous calls. It is unusual in that it exhibits several reproductive traits typically found in small, nocturnal lemurs, such as a short gestation period, large litters and rapid maturation.

Taken in: Madagascar / Atsinanana / Antetezambaro / Ambodiatafana (show map)

Taken on: November 26, 2017

Tags:

Madagascar 2017

Island Of Madagascar

Akanin'ny Nofy

Palmarium Reserve

Black and White Ruffed Lemurs

Varecia variegata

Critically Endangered

Mainly Fruit

Endemic

Largest Extant Members

Lemuridae Family

Up To Nine Pounds

Up to 3.9 Feet In Length

Arboreal

Seasonal Rainforests

Diurnal

Quadrupedal Motion

Frugivorous

Eat Nectar

Flowers

Complex Social Structure

Loud Raucous Calls

Short Gestation Period

Large Litters

Rapid Maturation

Sue Roehl

Photographic Tours

Natural Exposures

Panasonic

100 - 400 mm Lens

Hand held

Cropped

coth5

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Sets appears in: • Lemurs and Sifakas in Madagascar • Madagascar 2017

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