Black-and-white ruffed lemur

Black-and-white ruffed lemur[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Primates
Family:
Lemuridae
Genus:
Varecia
Species:
V. variegata
Binomial name
Varecia variegata
(Kerr, 1792)
Subspecies

V. v. variegata (Kerr, 1792)
V. v. editorum (Osman Hill, 1953)
V. v. subcincta (A. Smith, 1833)

Varecia variegatta distribution[3]
orange = V. v. subcincta;
green = V. v. variegata;
blue = V. v. editorum
Synonyms

V. v. variegata:

  • vari Muirhead, 1819
  • varius I. Geoffroy, 1851[4]

The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is a threatened species native to the eastern coasts of Madagascar. Including the tail, black-and-white ruffed lemurs are one of the largest of the lemurs in the world, being 4 feet tall and weighing 10 pounds. They can live up to 18 years in captivity. Like all ruffed lemurs, they get their name from the thick fur that surrounds their whole head.

Diet

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs mainly eat fruits, leaves, seeds and nectar, and insects. In captivity, some zoos will include biscuits to their meals.

References

  1. ↑ Groves, Colin (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 117. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
  2. ↑ Andrainarivo, C.; et al. (2008). "Varecia variegata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 6 Oct 2008. Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A2cd v3.1)
  3. ↑ Mittermeier, R.A.; et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar (2nd ed.). Conservation International. pp. 303–320. ISBN 1-881173-88-7.
  4. ↑ Groves, Colin (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. {pages}. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.