Ring-tailed Lemur

Madagascar · primates · endangered · iconic tails

Striped tail superstar. The ring-tailed lemur's long black-and-white ringed tail is so eye-catching that it became the most famous lemur species in the whole world. The tail isn't just for show either; it helps them balance when they leap through trees and on the ground.

Only in Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs live nowhere else on Earth except the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa. They are endangered today because their forest homes are shrinking, so protecting these forests is super important.

Ground-loving climbers. Unlike most lemurs that live high in trees, ring-tailed lemurs are the most comfortable walking and living on the ground of all lemur species. They still climb and jump through trees, but they spend way more time down below than their relatives do.

Eat almost everything. Ring-tailed lemurs are omnivores, which means they munch on fruits, leaves, bark, insects, and even small animals. This flexible diet helps them survive in different types of forests, from leafy gallery forests to dry, spiky scrub forests.

Wet-nosed wonders. Ring-tailed lemurs are strepsirrhine primates, which means they have wet noses like dogs and bears. This wet nose helps them smell really well, which is super useful for finding food and talking to other lemurs.