A lemur of southern Madagascar and nearby regions, recognizable by its long tail with black-and-white rings.
Its face is white with dark areas around the eyes and nose. The tail is longer than the body, with rings extending to the tip.
Ring-tailed Lemurs raise their banded tails while travelling in troops, helping companions keep contact. They spend substantial time on the ground in southern Madagascar’s dry habitats.
Males anoint their tails with wrist and shoulder secretions during scent contests. Branch marking, calls and grooming also support social communication in female-dominated troops.
Conversion for crops and livestock, charcoal production, and capture for meat or pets threaten habitat and populations. Conserving feeding and resting trees connects with surrounding land use.
IUCN Red List (Lemur Conservation Foundation account) · Endangered (EN) · Global
Agriculture, grazing and charcoal production fragment habitat; hunting and pet capture add pressure. Drought-related impacts on food plants are a concern in southern Madagascar.