Description: The Ring-tailed Lemur has a white face with a dark nose and eye patches. Its underbelly is whitish-grey and its upper fur is brown-grey to rosy-brown. The lemur’s tail is very distinctive with black and white rings all along its length, hence the name ‘ring-tailed’. Its tail is used for visual and scent communication.

Diet: Lemurs are omnivores and eat flowers, fruit, leaves, bark, sap as well as insects and lizards.

In the wild: Ring-tailed Lemurs live in groups of 5–25 individuals with a core group of adult females. These females form a well-ordered hierarchy that dominates over males. Females remain in the group while males, once grown, move on to join other groups.

Threats: Habitat loss is a major threat to lemurs on the island of Madagascar. Lemurs are also caught and sold in the illegal pet trade.

Adopt a Ring-tailed Lemur at Perth Zoo and support your favourite animal, protect other threatened species and help important conservation work around the world.