LifespanUp to 20 years in the wild, and 40 years under human care
Quick Facts
HabitatTropical rainforests
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs
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Life in the Trees
Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are highly arboreal, moving through the canopy by walking, running and leaping between branches.
As fruit specialists, they often hang by their feet—a behaviour known as suspensory movement—to reach ripe fruit, a skill they display more frequently than most other lemur species.
Nature’s Great Pollinators
Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are the world’s largest pollinators, sharing a unique relationship with the traveller’s tree. They can open its flowers to feed on nectar, and in doing so, carry pollen on their faces between trees - helping the plant reproduce while nourishing themselves.
Together, We Protect Wildlife
Safeguarding Species
Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are severely threatened by habitat loss from agriculture, logging and mining, along with hunting and the illegal pet trade (which is only made worse by their noisy, conspicuous nature).
We work with member zoos to sustain the population of black-and-white ruffed lemurs under human care. Transfer of individuals for breeding enhances genetic diversity to maintain a healthy population.
The IUCN Status
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
