A special type of lemur found only in Madagascar, just like all other lemurs. It lives in the rainforests of the Masoala Peninsula, which is on the northeastern side of the island. The red ruffed lemur is named for its thick, reddish-brown fur, which covers most of its body. It also has a black face, feet, and tail, along with a “ruff” of thick fur around its neck, giving it a unique and striking look. Its bright orange or yellow eyes stand out against its dark face, making it one of the most beautiful lemur species.

The red ruffed lemur has a long, bushy tail that helps it balance as it moves through the trees. These lemurs spend almost all of their time high up in the treetops, which is known as the forest canopy. They are great jumpers and can leap from one tree to another, using their strong legs and gripping hands to help them move easily through the forest. Their long tails act like balancing tools when they make big jumps.

Red ruffed lemurs are known for their love of fruit. They are frugivores, which means they mainly eat fruit, though they also enjoy nectar, flowers, and leaves. As they eat fruit, they help spread seeds throughout the forest. This makes them very important for keeping the rainforest healthy and growing. Without them, some trees might not grow as well because the seeds wouldn’t be spread as far. In this way, red ruffed lemurs play a key role in the ecosystem.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Madagascar

Official estimate

CR

2018