Ring-tailed lemur

The striped tail from Madagascar

Lemurs live on only one island — Madagascar — and nowhere else! The ring-tailed lemur has 13 black-and-white rings on its tail; it holds its tail up like a flag so the troop stays together. In the morning they sit facing the sun to 'warm up' — as if doing yoga. The troop is led by the females.

The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a primate of the dry forests and scrub of south-western Madagascar. Lemurs are 'primitive' primates (not monkeys) that evolved in isolation on an island that split from Africa 60 million years ago. Troops of 6–30 are matriarchal: females decide where to eat and go. The 60 cm tail is for balance and signalling; males hold 'stink fights', rubbing scent on their tails and waving them at rivals. At dawn they 'sunbathe' to warm up. Diet: fruit, leaves, flowers, insects. With 90% of forests cut, IUCN lists it as Endangered; an estimated 2,000–3,000 remain in the wild.

Fun facts

• Male lemurs hold 'stink fights' — waving scented tails at rivals.
• Female lemurs run the troop — they eat first.
• Lemurs may have rafted to Madagascar on floating trees 60 million years ago.