These striking lemurs inhabit the rainforests of Madagascar.

Subspecies
Two. V.v.rubra (red ruffed lemur), V.v.variegata (black and white ruffed lemur).

Life span
19 years.

Statistics
Head and body length: 50cm, Tail length: 60cm, Weight: Female: 3.5kg, Male: 3.4kg.

Physical description
V.v.variegata has variable patches of black on a white body. V.v.rubra has mostly red fur with a black crown and a white nape.

Distribution
Ruffed lemurs inhabit eastern Madagascar.

Habitat
They live in rainforest.

Diet
Ruffed lemurs feed on fruit, seeds, leaves and nectar.

Behaviour
Ruffed lemurs live in multimale-multifemale groups of 5-16, or in pairs. Females have larger home ranges than the males, and both sexes are territorial. They are diurnal and arboreal and move quadrupedally through the trees.

Reproduction
After a gestation period of 90-102 days, females give birth to two infants.

Conservation status
Ruffed lemurs are in the Endangered category of the IUCN Red List, due to deforestation of their habitat.