General Information
Ruffed Lemurs are primates They live in the trees found in Madagascar They use loud calls to communicate, they are active during the day.
Size
The Ruffed Lemur can reach a weight of 6-10 pounds.
Appearance
They are black and white in color. Their bodies are black and white and have a white ruff around their neck Some have red and black bodies with a small whit mark on the back of their neck. The tricolor ruffed lemur have a mix of the previous mentioned color variations. Their fur is soft and thick. Their eyes are bright yellow.
Lifespan
The ruffed lemur can live 15-20 years in the wild and over 30years in captivity.
Habitat
They live in the treetops of the rainforests of Madagascar.
Diet
Fruit is their primary source of food but they also eat seeds, nectar, leaves, insects and sometimes fungi that is found in Madagascar.
Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at approximately 1 year while males reach theirs at about 2 years. Their breeding is seasonal usually May-July. They are the only primate that can have a litter of 1-6. Gestation is 99-106 days.
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Other facts
The Ruffed Lemur live in groups, they have one of the loudest calls of all the primates. Their calls are called hooting. They maintain territories and mark them with their urine. They practice bi-parental care. The parents train their babies to search for food, maintain their territories all while staying alert for predators.
Basic Care
Feeding
The ruffed lemur is mainly frugivorous but will also eat leaves, flowers an a variety of seeds . They can use their long tongues to reach nectar inside of the trees flowers We provide them with a diet of greens, fruits, vegetables, leaves, flowers, biscuits and other enrichment foods As a baby we use Ebsilac Sensitive with rice cereal and a scoop of baby banana food. We also offer a small dish of cut of fruit mixed with the formula.
Water
Also provide fresh water. We use a water Lixit which is very easy to clean and provides them with fresh water daily.
Cleanliness
Clean the enclosure daily.
Enclosure
A ruffed lemur enclosure must be large enough for the group of lemurs It must
have enough perching areas and nest boxes. It should also have vertical space and allow them access to outside. The enclosure must also be secure to keep them from escaping or from predators getting in.
Temperature
Ruffed lemurs live in a tropical environment and need temps from 64-89 degrees. If it gets cold make sure they have nesting boxes that they can climb in to stay warm. You may also need to add a heating source but ensure that you lemur cannot reach the heating element to avoid injury.
Exercise
The ruffed lemur will get exercise by running, jumping and playing with other lemurs.
Handling
Ruffed lemurs can be placed in a harness and even leash trained They are very food driven and attention driven that makes them easy to train.
Toileting
They are messy and will walk in their feces so daily cleaning of the enclosure is important. You can also diaper train your lemur.
Enrichment
Lemurs love to live in groups. You can provide enrichments for mental and physical stimulation such as balls, swings, mirrors. Human interaction is a daily must. They also love food puzzles and provide them with areas that they can hang upside down and stretch.
Requirements
For one or two Ruffed Lemurs you are required to have a cage or enclosure that is 4ft by 5ft and 6 feet tall. For each additional animal you must increase the enclosure size by 25% of the original floor are Each enclosure must have nesting box or boxes and perching areas that can accommodate all of the animals in the enclosure at one time. Each enclosure also must have a climbing apparatus.
In addition to the above mentioned each enclosure must have noninjuries physical and mental stimulating enhancement compatible to the species. Can include but is not limited to balls, mirrors, foraging items and boxes.