Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is the more endangered of the two species in the genus Varecia, which also includes red ruffed lemurs.

Size: The bodies of these mammals reach a length of twenty-three inches, with a tail of equal length. They weigh about eight pounds.

Life Span: The average lifespan of black-and-white lemurs is 15 to 20 years in captivity.

Color: Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are covered in black and white rings that cross their bodies.

Continent: Africa

Range: Madagascar

Habitat: Forest or the rainforest.

Food: These lemurs feed mainly on fruits, including leaves, seeds, and nectar.

Reproduction: After a gestation period of about 102 days, these lemurs may have up to six young, although most births are of twins. A female lemur pulls out her own hair to line the nest she builds in the fork of a tree to shelter her young.

Conservation: Lemurs are an endangered species due to loss of habitat.

Fun Facts: These lemurs have developed a very unique adaptation called a tooth comb, which is used for social grooming.