Check out Australia Zoo’s Ring-tailed Lemur!

Meet our tremendous troop of ring-tailed lemurs! Get up close and personal as they leap through the trees on Australia Zoo’s very own Bindi’s Island. Referred to as the “Sun-worshippers”, they can often be spotted soaking up sun rays on the island. Crikey, it’s cute so keep your camera handy!

These picture-perfect primates are native to the forests of Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs are identifiable by their long, vivid black and white striped tail and golden eyes. They use their hands and feet to effortlessly move through the trees.  Their tail is not prehensile, they use it for balance instead.

They have very powerful scent glands on their chest, wrists and below their tail. This is used as a communication tool. Ring-tailed lemurs will ‘stink fight’; meaning during mating season, the males will try to out-stink each other by rubbing their scent glands on their tail and flicking it at other lemurs who pose as a threat.

Ring-tailed lemurs live in a troop, consisting of up to 30 individuals. The troop is ruled by one dominant female. Girl power! They feed primarily on fruit, flowers, vegetation and, on occasion, have been known to eat eggs and small insects. They will spend the early morning and late afternoon foraging and will generally snooze through the heat of the day.

Unfortunately, habitat destruction is the main threat facing ring-tailed lemurs in the wild. They are considered an endangered species.