BLACK & WHITE RUFFED LEMUR

Varecia Variegata

STATUS: Critically endangered

AT THE WILDLIFE PARK

We have two Black & White Ruffed Lemurs at the park; Felix our oldest Lemur and Eleven who was introduced to him in 2014. El (for short) is very active and loves running & climbing around her enclosure. Felix likes to sunbath and cuddle with El.
Find out more about our lovely Lemurs at our 11am Lemur talk at the Ring-Tailed Lemurs enclosure located in our Main Primate Area.

HABITAT

Black & White Ruffed Lemurs have a patchy distribution in Eastern Madagascar.

WILD DIET

They are primarily frugivorous, but will also eat seeds, leaves and nectar.

BEHAVIOUR & BREEDING

They are highly social and live in family groups of around 2 to 5 individuals. But, they have also been observed into larger groups of up to 16 individuals. Females are dominant within the groups.
Females usually give birth to twins or triplets, but can give birth to as many as six babies in one litter.

THREATS & CONSERVATION

Major threats to these Lemurs are logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, mining, development and hunting. 
At the park, we raise money for Lemur Love, a charity working out in Madagascar to help save Lemurs. More info >> HERE <<

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS

Black & White Ruffed Lemurs are known as the world’s largest pollinators, due to their mutualistic relationship with the traveler’s tree (also known as the traveler’s palm). They have the unique ability, among pollinators, to open the tree’s flowers. While the Lemurs benefit by eating the nectar within the flowers, the tree benefits from the pollination that occurs when the pollen sticks to the Lemurs’ faces and gets transported to the next tree.