Lemurs are found on the island of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa. They are primates and found nowhere else in the world. Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; animals found here are unique to the island.

Scent marking is extremely important for lemurs. It is through this scent that information on age, health, reproduction and territory is passed on within and between groups. Lemurs are mainly frugivores, feeding on fruit, flowers and leaves; however they will feed on insects at certain times of the year.

Black and White ruffed lemur

The Ruffed lemur is the largest of the true lemurs, measuring when full grown, four feet in length including the long tail of about two feet. The black and white ruffed lemur is found in humid rainforests. They live in family groups with 2 to 5 individuals.

Females will give birth to up to 3 infants in a nest in a tree which she has lined with her own fur after a gestation of 102 days. Young will stay with the family for up to 3 years, with males moving off to find a new mate.

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

Ring-tailed are the only species of lemur that typically spend a lot of time of the ground. Their body is 1.3feet (40cm) long with a tail of 2 feet (60cm). They weigh between 6-8 pounds/3-3.5kg.

Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups of up to 30. They have distinct female hierarchies that are enforced by frequent aggressive confrontations. Males will change group especially during mating season. Male lemurs use their tails as a means of communicating, they cover them in a pungent scent, waving them about, showing off to the ladies and warning off other males.

Females in the group will give birth within 2-3 days of each other after a gestation period of 135 days.