Ring-tailed Lemur: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Lemurs and Little Primates · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Ring-tailed lemurs sunbathe. They sit up tall with their belly towards the sun, palms open and eyes gently shut.
2. Rival males hold stink fights. Each one rubs smelly scent onto his tail, then waves it at the other male.
3. Tests show these lemurs can put things in order, do simple sums and choose a tool based on how well it works.
4. Some of its lower teeth form a special toothcomb. The lemur uses it, along with licking, to groom fur.
5. In a ring-tailed lemur troop, females are in charge. They rule over the males in every situation, and they get to eat first.

The quiz

1. How do ring-tailed lemurs sunbathe?

• Hanging upside down by the tail
• Sitting up with their belly towards the sun (correct)
• Lying flat on their back in water
• Curled into a tight ball

They sit upright, showing their soft white belly to the sun.

2. What do rival males wave at each other in a stink fight?

• Leaves
• Sticks
• Their tails, rubbed with scent (correct)
• Their hands, full of mud

They rub smelly scent onto their tails and wave them at rivals.

3. Which of these can ring-tailed lemurs do in tests?

• Do simple sums (correct)
• Read words
• Speak with signs
• Build nests from wire

They can order things, understand basic arithmetic and pick useful tools.

4. What is a lemur's toothcomb used for?

• Cracking nuts
• Digging for roots
• Scaring rivals
• Grooming fur (correct)

The toothcomb is used for grooming, with licking and scraping.

5. Who is in charge in a ring-tailed lemur troop?

• The oldest male
• The females (correct)
• The youngest lemurs
• Nobody, they are all equal

Females dominate males in all situations, even at mealtimes.

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