Post on 30-Oct-2014
description
THE RED RUFFED LEMUR
By Daniel
Scientific Classification
Common Name: Red Ruffed Lemur Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Lemuridae Genus Species: Varecia variegata ruba
Description
Soft, thick, orange-red fur
Description
Fox-like black head with bright yellow eyes
Description
Nape of neck may have a patch of white fur
Description
Black belly, hands, feet, and long bushy tail
Description
One of the largest
primates in Madagascar Between 1.5 and 2 feet
in length Weighs 7-10 pounds Tail usually longer than
the body
Usually 2-3 offspring at a time Can have up to 6 offspring Gestation is 90-102 days Young are left in a nest while parents find food If the Lemurs need to move nests, they carry the
babies in their mouth Sometimes the babies are each given a nest The babies are born with fur and their eyes open Sexual maturity is 20 months
Reproduction
Where to Find Red Ruffed Lemurs
Like all lemurs, found exclusively on the island of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa
Where to Find Red Ruffed Lemurs
Where to Find Red Ruffed Lemurs
Restricted to the Masoala Peninsula.
Red Ruffed Lemurs’ Range
Range separated from the range of the Black and White Rugged Lemur by the Antainambalana River, the Red Ruffed Lemur on the North and the Black and White Lemur on the South.
Habitat
Tropical Rainforest in Madagascar
Habitat
Prefers tall, thick, fruit-bearing trees
Diet The Red Ruffed Lemur is:
a frugivore (eating fruits) a folivore (eating foliage)a nectivore (eating nectar)
Fruit makes up 75% of their diet They also eat leaves, shoots and seeds Their diet varies depending on the season One of their favorite fruits is figs and they travel
the jungle to find them They get water from eating fruit or climbing
down to the ground to drink from streams
Predators
Eagles
Physical Adaptations
Thick Fur
Benefit: Protection from the elements
Physical Adaptations
Long, strong fingers and toes
Benefit: Good for climbing and hanging onto branches
Physical Adaptations
Long, thick tail
Benefit: Helps balance
when leaping and climbing
Physical Adaptations
Male and Female Scent Glands
Benefit: Communication and territory marking
Physical Adaptations
Keen Eyesight
Benefit: Find food and avoid predators
Physical Adaptations Long arms and legs
Benefit: Able to reach far
when leaping and climbing
Physical Adaptations
Long, pointed snout
Benefit: Sipping nectar from flowers
Physical Adaptations
Protruding overbite and
spaced lower six teeth
Benefit: Creates a comb
for grooming
Physical Adaptations
The females have three
sets of mammary glands
Benefit: Able to nurse
larger litters
Physical Adaptations
The second claw on its hind legs are longer and thinner.
Benefit: Used for grooming
Behavioral Adaptations Sometimes hang by their
feet on branches
Benefit: Able to grab
far away food
Behavioral Adaptations
Vocalizes using 12 distinct calls
Benefit: Communication with other lemurs
Behavioral Adaptations Live in family groups of two adults with offspring
Benefit: Protection, finding food and raising young
Crepuscular/Diurnal
Benefit: Able to find fruit and flowers in the daytime. Finds food while predators may be sleeping
Behavioral Adaptations
Usually stays in the treetops
Benefit: Finds food in the canopy and avoids predators
Behavioral Adaptations
Endangered Species Only 1,000 to 10,000 remain in the wild One of the most endangered species of lemur:
Small geographic rangeHabitat destructionHunting and live capture for pets
While doing my research I came across a site that was titled, “Red Ruffed Lemurs for Sale!”
The Masaola National Park, established in 1997 offers hope for the continued survival of Red Ruffed Lemurs in Madagascar
Interesting Facts
Madagascar separated from Africa over 160 million years ago
Lemurs developed only on Madagascar Red Ruffed Lemurs can travel through the
treetops1200m a day in search of ripe fruit When Red Ruffed Lemurs live near Black
and White Lemurs in zoos, they can understand each other’s calls even though these species don’t normally meet in the wild.
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo Environment Indoors Enclosed by glass and bars Lots of concrete, like boxes to live in Four adult animals housed together Little live vegetation 2 rooms approximately 7ft wide and 8-9ft long Some rocks and ledges Ropes and logs to climb on Poop all over the ground Water bowls in floor of enclosure
Zoo ImprovementsIf I had the power to change the Red Ruffed Lemurs zoo habitat, this is what I would do. I liked that there was some things to climb on but I think that to maintain the adaptation of having long arms and legs to climb higher we must give them more things to climb on. I also think there should be more room for the Red Ruffed Lemurs because they are territorial and are adapted to traveling long distances to find food. I think there should be outside space to maintain the adaptation of having thick fur to withstand the elements. I believe that to keep the adaptation of a long snout to reach into flowers to get nectar, we must give them real flowers to stick their muzzle in and get nectar. I think that their habitat should be higher off the ground because they naturally like to stay higher in the trees than on the ground. I also would have made the habitat have more live vegetation and less concrete because the Red Ruffed Lemur naturally lives in the rainforest. I would also like to include running water to be more like the streams in their natural habitat. I liked a little about this habitat but I wanted to change a lot.
Sources
The Wild Ones Animal Index San Francisco Zoo Bristol Zoo Woodland Park Zoo Animal Bytes Google Images Conservation of lemurs in human-dominated
landscapes by Barbara Martinez, PhD student