Our Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs might share their Madagascan heritage (because spoiler alert: all lemurs are endemic to Madagascar!), but there’s plenty that sets these prosimians apart.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes these two species unique in their own ways.

Dressed to impress

One quick way to tell these lemur species apart is their looks.

As their name suggests, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs have black and white fluffy fur and a big, bushy tail.
Ring-tailed Lemurs, on the other hand, have long stripy tails, shorter coats and grey fur.

Despite their differences, both species share some classic lemur features, including prominent snouts and large eyes.

Home sweet home

Although all lemurs are endemic to Madagascar, meaning they're naturally found nowhere else in the world, their wild habitats can look very different.

You will find Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs among the lush, green tropical rainforest canopies of eastern Madagascar.

Their fluffier coats help keep them warm in the cooler, damp conditions of their habitat.

While Ring-tailed Lemurs thrive in the drier forests and are found in the scrublands of southern Madagascar.

With warmer temperatures and fewer shady places, their shorter coats help them cope with the arid conditions.

Particular parenting techniques

Like many primates, Ring-tailed Lemur babies cling to mum during the first weeks of their lives before moving onto her back.

Watching the world from the safety of mum means they cango wherever she goes, exploring their surroundings and learning from other troop members along the way.

But Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs do things a little differently.

Mums build nests for their babies, where they'll spend their first 4-6 weeks while mum heads off to find food before returning to care for them.

Females rule the world

When it comes to lemurs, females come first!

Lemurs are known for their female-dominant social structures, meaning females are the core leaders within their groups.

In all-girl groups like our Ring-tailed Lemurs in the Savannah, the hierarchy is also influenced by things like age and relationships with other group members.

Catching some rays

Another thing these two species have in common? They both love soaking up the sunshine.

Lemurs turn their bellies towards the sun to absorb heat quickly and warm themselves up from the cool nights in the rainforest.

And who doesn't love a mid-morning lie down in the sun!

Loud and proud

With over 20 different vocalisations to communicate with one another, it’s pretty obvious lemurs love to chat.

From small clicks and purrs to loud calls and howls, their voices can travel long distances, helping alert each other to potential danger.

Visitors can often hear our Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur bachelor group across the entire Zoo!



Declining populations

While these prosimians are different in many ways, there’s one very important thing they have in common, they're both at risk of extinction.

Lemurs face threats from habitat destruction as Madagascar's human population grows and land use changes. They are also threatened by hunting and the illegal pet trade.

We're proud to partner with the Madagascan Fauna and Flora Group to help protect native species and their habitats in Madagascar.

Funds provided to this project help protect native lemur habitat and train rangers to safeguard the land from poachers, while helping protect the country's incredible biodiversity.

For all the lemur lovers, get to know our resident Zoo lemurs in a special animal experience. Find out more and book your tickets here.