Ring-tailed lemurs are active throughout the day and night, travelling up to six kilometres each day in groups of up to 25 individuals. They feed on leaves, insects and small vertebrates, and unlike other species of lemur, they spend 40% of their time on the ground.
Fun fact – Every ring-tailed lemur has exactly 13 black and white bands on its long tail.
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Ecology
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Threats
The main threat to the ring-tailed lemur is habitat loss, as their sparse forest habitats are being felled at an alarming rate. They are also often captured for their meat or even to be kept illegally as pets. Their numbers in the wild are unknown, but they are known to be in rapid decline.
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Conservation
Many ring-tailed lemurs are protected and bred in zoos worldwide, alongside in-situ conservation in protected areas. Reforestation efforts will be needed to rebuild their natural habitats. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to increase genetic diversity in future generations in case of further decline.
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Preserved January 2024
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