The Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) is an arboreal (tree-living) primate mammal in the Lemuridae family of lemurs.

The Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur has fluffy black and white fur. Its stomach, tail, hands and feet, forehead, face, and crown are black. It is white on the sides, back, and back legs. It has a black nose, small ears, and bright orange eyes. Its tail is long, black, and bushy.

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

It grows to about 120 centimetres (45 inches) tall, making it the largest lemur (with the Red Ruffed Lemur).

It is native to the island of Madagascar. The Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur is arboreal, living in trees in tropical rainforests. It is diurnal, active during the day. In the trees, and on the ground, it uses quadruped locomotion – moving on four appendages (arms and legs).

It is frugivorous, which means that it eats mainly fruit. It also eats flowers, leaves, and seeds.

A colony of Black-and-White Lemurs is female-dominated – this is known as a matriarchal society. Reproductive females need more access to food so they establish a feeding priority. Younger females do not appear to have aggressive and dominant behaviour.

The female is pregnant for about 102 days, before giving birth to 2-6 young. When the young are born, they cling to their mother. Both males and females will guard the young.

In captivity, Black-and-White Lemurs can live up to 36 years.

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM