Varecia variegata, the black-and-white ruffed lemur, is one of the largest lemur species and is endemic to the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. Its coat is patterned in black and white, with a dense ruff framing a black face and yellow eyes. It is primarily diurnal, remaining active for much of the day, with noticeable peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon.
It moves through the canopy by walking, running, and leaping between branches, and feeds primarily on fruit, supplemented by leaves, nectar, and seeds. Social groups vary in size, from pairs to more than a dozen individuals, and are typically led by dominant females. Females build nests specifically for giving birth and caring for their infants during their first weeks of life, a relatively unusual trait among primates.
The species produces loud, far-carrying calls used to maintain contact across the forest. Habitat loss from agriculture, logging, and mining, combined with hunting pressure, has contributed to its Critically Endangered status; available IUCN Red List assessments indicate a population decline of over eighty percent across recent decades. In the wild, lifespan is often reported at around fifteen to twenty years. Glimpsed through the leaves, alert and still, it represents one of Madagascar’s most visible conservation concerns.
• Black-and-white ruffed lemur
• Lémur rufo blanco y negro, lémur de collar blanco y negro
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Primates
Suborder:Strepsirrhini
Family:Lemuridae
Genus:Varecia
Species:V. variegata
Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura, La Lajita, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias
Camera: Canon EOS 77D / 9000D
Lens: TAMRON SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di A09E
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 68.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO: 100
Photo Taken: April 16, 2023
High resolution
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