Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) are undoubtedly Madagascar's most recognisable mammal. Known locally as Maki (also a leading local clothing brand), this lemur walks on all fours, with its black and white banded tail lifted vertically behind it. If ever a bar coding system could be introduced to help identify animals, the Ringtail is oven-ready, with 12 or 13 white rings; and 13 or 14 black rings; always ending in a black tip.

There are estimated to be more Ring-tailed Lemurs in captivity than in the wild. Even though Ring-tails are Madagascar's most adaptable lemur, found from spiny forest, to tropical dry forest, tsingy and at higher altitude than any other lemur in the Central Massif, they number fewer than 2,000 in the wild. Habitat loss and bushmeat hunting account for much of this loss; but targeting for zoos and the pet trade indicate the direction these lemurs have been forced to adapt. 

Ring-tail lemurs are very entertaining to see - active by day, high twitch, highly social and vocal. They begin the day quite the opposite of active, however, reclining, seated facing the sun, arms and hands in a Buddhist pose; not to meditate as far as we know, but to bear their white underside and soak up the sun as if cold-blooded, in need of heat to function. 

They feed energetically, spending as much as a third of their time on the ground - more than any other lemur. They live on groups of average 12 or 13 individuals; sometimes as many as 30. Riverside or dry riverbed woodland (known as gallery forest) is a favoured habitat. They are happy to share this with other species of lemur; but they are not happy to overlap with another group of Ring-tails. Overlaps can lead to noisy exchanges and 'stink offs'. Both male and female Ring-tails have scent glands close to their genitals and on the inside of their forearms; but only males have one on their chest, close to their armpits. This is the best weapon in a stink off, since this gland produces a particularly foul-smelling sticky brown secretion. 

Ring-tails are highly social lemurs. Not only do they keep warm by paying homage to the sun, but by alot of hugging. They also groom each other, using their comb-like lower front teeth to really work through a family member's fur. The lower teeth can also be used to extract tree sap. Their primary diet, however, is fruit and leaves, of which the Tamarind Tree, with its huge fruity seed pods, is their foremost food source. As highly adaptable omnivores, their diet can extend to insects; and even small birds and chameleons. 

When the boot is on the other foot, Ring-tails are preyed on by Madagascar's apex predator, the Fossa; as well as Madagascar Ground Boas, Madagascar Buzzards and Madagascar Harrier- Hawks. 

One of our best spots for showing you Ring-tail Lemurs in the wild is at a community reserve at Anja Village. We include this on our private Madagascar Highlands & Rainforest to Coast journeys, calling in between the Ranomafana rainforest and Isalo National Park. We can also sometimes see them in Isalo itself, as well as at Berenty and Mandrare River in the deep south; or by taking you to the very scenic Andringitra National Park.