The Animal Kingdom

Ring-Tailed Lemur: Madagascar’s Famous Acrobat

The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is one of the most recognizable species of lemur, thanks to its long tail adorned with black-and-white rings. Native to the dry forests and scrublands of Madagascar, these lemurs are highly social and live in groups called troops.

In zoos, ring-tailed lemurs are kept in spacious enclosures with plenty of climbing structures, ropes, and trees. Visitors are often amused by their sunbathing behavior, where they sit upright with arms outstretched to soak in the sunlight.

Zoos use the popularity of ring-tailed lemurs to educate the public about the urgent need to conserve Madagascar's unique biodiversity, as habitat destruction threatens many of the island's endemic species.