Red Ruffed Lemur
It's one of the largest primates of Madagascar with a body length of 53 cm, a tail length of 60 cm and a weight of 3.3–3.6 kg. Its soft, thick fur is red and black in colour and sports a buff or cream coloured spot at the nape, few are known to have a white or pink patch on the back of the limbs or digits and a ring on the base of the tail in a similar colour. They have slender bodies and long legs. Red ruffed lemurs have a narrow snout with small back ears that are sometimes hidden by their long fur. They groom themselves using their toothcomb.
Habitat
The natural range of this species is the Masoala Peninsula in northeastern Madagascar, where the Red ruffed lemurs generally occupy deciduous tropical forests. This primate typically lives in small, matriarchal groups of 2–16 individuals, but group sizes of up to 32 have been recorded. An inhabitant of primary and some secondary tropical moist lowland forest (to 1200 m). It is diurnal, prefers high forest and is often observed in the crowns of large feeding trees.
Diet
Red Ruffed Lemurs are herbivores (frugivore, nectarivores). As much as 75% of their diet is made up of fruits. They also consume pollen, nectar, seeds, leaves and flowers.
Breeding
Red ruffed lemurs have a polygynous mating system, where males generally mate with females in their group. Occasionally, males from the outside come to the home range of a group to mate with receptive females. Breeding occurs during the dry season, in May-July. Up to 6 young are born after a very short gestation period (90 - 103 days) for a primate of this body size. Young are raised in nests or secluded places in special areas known as parkings. These parkings are located in the core of the group's home range. Group members practice communal care, while mothers are far in the forest. Between 3 and 7 weeks old, the infants begin venturing from the nest. Weaning occurs by 4 months old. The age of reproductive maturity is 1 - 2 years old in males and 2 - 3 years old in females.
Population
According to the Woodland Park Zoo, the total population of the Red ruffed lemurs in the wild is 1,000 to 10,000 individuals. However, this species’ numbers are decreasing today, and the animal is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List.
Threats
Currently, the Red ruffed lemurs are among the most endangered lemur species in Madagascar due to tiny range and small population. Most Red ruffed lemurs live outside the protected area called the Masoala Nature Reserve, which poses additional threat to the survival of these animals. The Red ruffed lemurs are often captured for pet or animal trade. Other notable threats to this species are hunting and habitat destruction. The principal threats are habitat loss and hunting. Due to their large size and evident need for tall primary forest, these animals are particularly susceptible to human encroachment and, sadly, hunting and trapping for food still takes place. Furthermore, because remaining populations are concentrated on the Masoala Peninsula, they may be threatened by the frequent cyclones (hurricanes) that hit this part of Madagascar. The range of this species has also recently been heavily impacted on by the very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after the political events of early 2009, in addition to fires.
Conservation
It is protected officially only within the Masoala National Park and the Makira Protected Area. However, Masoala was the national park most heavily impacted on by the very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after the political events of early 2009. Increased regulation and management of illegal logging and hunting within the range is recommended. As of 2009, there were 590 red ruffed lemurs reported in captivity worldwide. Such populations in American and European zoos represent a safeguard against extinction, but they are unfortunately very limited in their genetic diversity.