The Most Popular Lemur
The Ring-tailed lemur is one of twenty-two species of lemurs. Easliy the most recognizable of the species, they share a common ancestry with Africa's monkeys and apes, but were isolated from those species probably 50 million years ago when Madagascar separated from the African continent.
The word Lemur comes from old Latin, and refers to ghosts or spirits. The staring eyes, haunting sounds, and nocturnal ways of the lemur inspired early observers to think of them as ghosts or forest spirits.
| Size | Lifespan | Habitat | Tail Length | Genus | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-8 pounds | 20-25 years | Madagascar | 22-25 inches | lemur | catta |
Click the links at the top of this page to discover more about the Ring-Tailed Lemur.