Territorial and very vocal, the red ruffed lemur is the first to disappear after selective logging. They have specific vocalizations for specific predators. They travel in groups of multiple females and males and are largely diurnal and often hang upside down to feed.

The lemur is found only on the large island of Madagascar, which is located east of Africa. It has a very "unprimate" appearance. The ancestral lemur was isolated on Madagascar at least 50 million years ago and diversified into 40 species. The muzzle of the lemur is very dog-like. The word "lemur" means "host" in Latin.

The long, thick fur of this lemur is an excellent adaptation for living in the rain forest. The vivid color pattern blends in well with the leaves, serving as excellent camouflage. The pattern on the red ruffed lemur can actually vary from one side to the other on an individual.

This lemur moves about by running or walking on large branches and leaping from tree to tree. Active during the day, the lemur forages for food. The female red ruffed lemur will actually "park" her young on a branch or in a nest while she forages.

Little is known about the social structure of the red ruffed lemur, but it appears to live in bonded pairs. Communication by smell is very important. Scent glands secrete a fluid that is deposited on trees, branches or each other.

Gestation: 102 days. Offspring: Often twins.