BLACK-AND-WHITE RUFFED LEMUR

Varecia variegata

Geographic Distribution and Habitat

Endemic to Madagascar, black-and-white ruffed lemurs can be found living in lowland (altitudes under 3280 feet / 1000 m) to mid-altitude rain forests on the eastern side of the island. Their northernmost documented boundary is the Antainambalana River, with its southernmost extent being the Ambalavera Classified Forest. Arboreal creatures (residing primarily in the trees), these lemurs tend to stick to areas with large, tall trees where they can find foliage-dense refuge at heights of around 50 – 80 ft (15 – 25 m) above ground level.

This species of lemur is divided into three subspecies—white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur, Hill’s ruffed lemur, and the black-and-white ruffed lemur—each with distinct geographic ranges. The white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur is primarily found in northern regions, from just south of the Antainambalana River to the Anova River, including parts of the Makira, Mananara-Nord, Atialanankorendrina, and Marotandrano protected areas. This subspecies was also introduced to the island of Nosy Mangabe in the Bay of Antongil during the 1930s and has since established a thriving population there, with a higher density than in its native habitats. The Hill’s ruffed lemur resides in the southernmost of the three, though its exact range remains unclear. It has been documented in areas from Mantadia to the Manombo Special Reserve.

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is found south of the Anova River, with its range extending from the Ambatovaky Special Reserve to Betampona and Zahamena National Park. While they have been observed in Ambatovaky, further research is needed to clarify their exact range in this area. Additionally, their southernmost limit remains uncertain, but they have been documented living north of Mantadia National Park and the Torotorofotsy Ramsar Site.

TAXONOMIC NOTES

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Verecia variegata, currently includes three subspecies: the white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur (V. v. subcincta ), the Hill’s ruffed lemur (V. v. editorum ), and the nominate black-and-white ruffed lemur (V. v. variegata). The taxonomic classification of the Varecia genus remains under review as new evidence emerges. For instance, microsatellite data from 2014 suggested that the black-and-white ruffed lemur species, Varecia variegata, should comprise only two subspecies, Hill’s ruffed lemur and black-and-white ruffed lemur, removing white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur from subspecies status. Currently, ongoing genomic studies are being conducted aimed at resolving these discrepancies.

Size, Weight, and Lifespan

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs typically have a body length of 20 inches (50cm), with tails reaching lengths around 23 inches (58cm). Males and females of this species tend to be around the same size, weighing from 6 to 9 pounds (3 to 4kg). Their life span ranges from 19-32 years in the wild (usually leaning towards the lower), but they have been observed living up to 36 years in captivity.

Appearance

Oh man, these striking lemurs deserve quite the spotlight when it comes to their appearance. Their defining quality would be the longer ruff of white fur that runs along their chin, up to their ears in two pointed tufts. In general, white fur also covers their backsides and back of their hind legs, as well as wrapping around the top part of their forearms, with the rest of their bodies being coated in black fur, including the entirety of their long tails. With that being said, patterns can vary a bit from individual to individual. Black-and-white ruffed lemur fur is very thick, allowing them to stay warm and drier in the rainier conditions of Madagascar.

Their round, tan-colored eyes peer out with curiosity and an air of wisdom. Their long fingers, with semi-opposable thumbs, allow them to grab onto branches and climb with ease.

Diet

The black-and-white ruffed lemur’s diet consists primarily of fruit, making up about 92% of their food intake, according to a study conducted in the Betampona Reserve. These lemurs were observed feeding 30 to 80 feet (10 to 25 meters) above the forest floor, with eating accounting for around 20% of their daily activity. Due to limited fruit availability, particularly during less abundant seasons, they adopt a variety of postures to access hard-to-reach fruit that other local frugivores cannot obtain. The specific fruits they consume vary based on what is ripe and in season. In addition to fruit, black-and-white ruffed lemurs also eat leaves, nectar, seeds, and occasionally fungi.

Compared to other lemur species, black-and-white ruffed lemurs have a rather basic digestive system, especially in regard to their hindgut (the posterior part of their digestive tract), which processes food quite quickly and limits their ability to break down denser fiber. This is why the species relies so heavily on fruit, which is quite easy to digest.

Behavior and Lifestyle

This lemur species is diurnal, often most alert and active from morning time to late afternoons. As arboreal (tree-dwelling) creatures, black-and-whited ruffed lemurs tend to stick to the highest parts of the forest canopy. Being quadrupedal (traveling via all four limbs), it is quite easy for them to navigate from tree to tree by climbing, leaping, clinging, and suspending from branches. It would seem that the most common activities for these guys are meandering (mostly moving around looking for food, or foraging), eating, interacting with their group members, and lounging —what a life! This is especially the case when warmer weather brings an abundance of native fruit, their favorite food. They are rather flexible and agile, able to maneuver their bodies into impressive positions to access even the most elusive fruit. It’s not all fun and games though, as they have to watch out for natural threats, particularly Madagascar’s largest carnivore: the fossa.

Fun Facts

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are not only one of the largest lemur species but they are also considered one of the world’s largest pollinators, spreading pollen that sticks to their ruff of fur around their faces while they consume nectar!

On top of all that, we have a third medal to award this funky species: the black-and-white ruffed lemur eats more fruit than any other lemur!

Daily Life and Group Dynamics

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs typically live in groups of 2 to 5 individuals, though groups as large as 16 have been observed. In these larger groups, smaller subgroups often split off during colder seasons due to a shortage of fruit and other resources.

The black-and-white ruffed lemur has a female-dominated social hierarchy, as do many lemur species. In most instances of aggression between a male and female, the female will prevail. These female lemurs seldom showcase submissive behavior, especially not in the instance of feeding dynamics. Likely due to the energy required for carrying and nurturing offspring, female black-and-white ruffed lemurs maintain dominance when it comes to available food by exhibiting aggressive behavior. Groups are typically led by a dominant female, who not only oversees the males but also the other younger females. This dominant female will guide the troop to food sources while ensuring she eats first and the most.

Communication

Research on the vocal communication of black-and-white ruffed lemurs is limited. However, in 2019, two groups totaling 31 individuals were closely studied in Ranomafana National Park to document their vocal activity. Researchers identified 11 distinct calls, with three being the most common: a hum, a roar-shriek, and chattering. These calls remained consistent during the day, except when heavy rainfall caused the lemurs to be quieter, with each call typically lasting a few seconds. Their roar-shrieks, which are extremely loud, are often emitted in choruses of multiple lemurs, and carry a specific purpose: signaling for group movement, ensuring proper distance is kept from group to group, and warning group members if a predator is spotted.

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs also employ other forms of communication, aside from vocal calls. Scent marking is used to outline the territories established by various groups, and facial expressions and body postures also relay information. Lastly, grooming and other tactile communication are key in solidifying social bonds. These lemurs have an incisor on their lower jaw that protrudes from their mouth and can be used as a comb, allowing them to groom each other in a unique way to other primate species but common among prosimians.

Reproduction and Family

It is not yet clear whether black-and-white ruffed lemurs are monogamous (having one mate) or polygamous (having multiple mates). Smaller groups often appear to originate from a single mated pair, suggesting monogamy, while larger groups frequently exhibit polygamous behavior.

Mating season typically runs between June and July, with 90 to 102-day-long gestation periods. During this gestation period, mothers will build several nests, usually based in areas where fruit is abundant. These nests are exclusively used for birthing and the first couple weeks of infant care. Both male and non-birthing females participate in protecting these nesting areas. Some studies have shown evidence that there are communal nests in which both related and unrelated black-and-white ruffed lemurs will partake in parental care, including males.

Another unique trait that this species engages in is a reproductive strategy called a “boom-bust,” which includes long periods without reproduction, followed by bursts of mating and birthing. Unlike many primates, lemur mothers can birth up to 6 babies at a time, though numbers of 2 to 3 are more common (twins being the most common).

Newborn babies stay in their nests for the first 3 weeks. After that, mothers carry their infants by mouth until they are about 7 weeks old when the babies can begin navigating the trees on their own. Infants are weaned at around 4 to 5 months, though 65% of offspring don’t survive past 3 months, often due to accidental falls from the canopy.

The young are fully independent by 6 months. Both male and female black-and-white ruffed lemurs reach sexual maturity between 1.5 and 3 years, although pregnancies are rare in their first year of reproduction. During this time, males’ testicles enlarge until they begin breeding, after which they return to their normal size.

Ecological Role

As avid fruit eaters, black-and-white ruffed lemurs play a crucial role in dispersing the seeds of native fruits in Madagascar. While eating, they often drop seeds from their hands and mouths, allowing them to reach the forest floor and potentially germinate. Additionally, seeds passed through their digestive system and found in their feces benefit from the fertilizing properties of the excrement, significantly increasing their chances of successful germination.

On top of seed dispersal, black-and-white ruffed lemurs are also known as being among the world’s largest pollinators and are the main pollinators of the traveler’s tree, also called traveler’s palm. These monumental trees tower at heights of around 40 feet (12 meters), with leaves that stick out and form an arch shape. The lemurs will use their long fingers to pull open the thick flower pods, shoving their snouts and tongues inside to get a taste. While doing this, pollen from the plant will stick to the white ruff of fur that outlines the bottom of their face, which then gets transported from flower to flower as the lemurs continue to snack on them.

Conservation Status and Threats

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2019), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The greatest threat to this lemur comes from human-induced disturbances. Due to their size and diurnal nature, they are an easy target for poachers hunting for meat, making them one of the most hunted lemurs on the island. They are also threatened by slash-and-burn practices used to clear land for logging, mining, housing, and agriculture.

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs aren’t the only species affected; according to the IUCN, Madagascar lost 37% of its forest cover between 1972 and 2014, with a decline of over 1% per year. This rapid deforestation poses a serious threat to the island’s plants and wildlife.

Conservation Efforts

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement between governments whose goal is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

There are numerous protected regions that this species reside in, including Makira, Mananara-Nord National Park, Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve, Zahamena National Park, Betampona, Zahamena, Ambatovaky and Marotandrano Special Reserves, Ankeniheny–Zahamena Corridor, Mantadia National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Fandriana Protected Area, Manombo Special Reserve, and the Fandriana–Vondrozo Corridor.

Several institutions are working to protect this species in captivity with the goal of reintroducing them into the wild. Two separate breeding programs in Europe (European Endangered Species Programmes – EEPs) are focused on repopulating black-and-white ruffed lemurs and related subspecies. One program has successfully bred four individuals into a population of 75, while another has expanded a group from 18 to 250.

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs were also part of a reintroduction program from 1998 to 2001, led by the Madagascar Fauna Group and the Duke Lemur Center. 13 lemurs born in captivity in the United States were released into the Betampono Reserve after undergoing a “boot camp” geared towards boosting their chance of survival in the wild. Though many of these lemurs didn’t end up surviving, at least 5 falling victim to fossa predation, it was recorded that 1 male successfully merged with an existing group and went on to reproduce.

Much work remains to protect this remarkable species. In addition to general wildlife conservation efforts, the IUCN has recommended launching an educational campaign to combat poaching of the black-and-white ruffed lemur.

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Written by Hannah Broadland, December 2024