Varecia rubra
red ruffed lemur

Varecia rubra (red ruffed lemur) currently lives, along with all extant lemurs, on the island-nation of Madagascar. Red ruffed lemurs inhabit the deciduous tropical forests of the Masoala Peninsula near Maroansetra. The Masoala Peninsula is one of the top conservation efforts in Madagascar. Its rich biodiversity includes more than just red ruffed lemurs: white-fronted brown lemurs, and aye-ayes also live there. Primates represent only a few of the taxonomic reasons why the Masoala National Park was created in the late 1990s.

The Antainambalana River dissects the Peninsula area, separating the range of red ruffed lemurs from their close relatives, black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 1997; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs prefer the deciduous tropical forests of the Masoala Peninsula, although about 400 live elsewhere in captivity. This area is elevated up to 1006 m in areas. Red ruffed lemurs generally remain in the upper canopy of their tropical rainforest. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 1997; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Varecia rubra gets its common name from a ruff of rust red hair that flanks its black face like sideburns. The black face matches the black hands, feet, belly, and tail. Most of the body is covered by a soft, thick, rust red coat, except for a patch of white fur at the back of the head. Possibly its beautifully contrasting coat is the reason why many consider red ruffed lemurs to be the most beautiful lemurs. Varecia rubra is the largest member of Lemuridae. Red ruffed lemurs average 60 cm in body length and their tails average 50 cm. Females tend to outweigh males. Red ruffed lemurs have specialized claws on their second toe, used to brush through their long, woolly fur. Because, like all prosimians (Strepsirrhini), red ruffed lemurs are digitally uncoordinated, they have evolved other methods to groom. The dentition is specialized to form a toothcomb made up of the six bottom incisors. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs are polygynous. Males monitor females for signs of estrus and then solicit opportunities to mate with them. This solicitation behavior is stereotyped and consists of a submissive approach, coupled with a squeal. Males also scent mark often in the presence of estrus females, sniff and lick their genitals, emit a shrieking chorus with females, and rub their bodies against each other. Group males more frequently mate with females from their same group. But stranger males may also enter a group's territory to mate with estrus females. (Vasey, 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs breed in the dry season from May to July. Although the group breeds for three months, an individual female only goes into estrus for at most a few days and is only fertile for one day. Red ruffed lemurs give birth to litters, which can contain as many as 6 infants. Gestation lasts between 90 and 103 days, which is particularly brief for a primate of this body size. When an infant reaches 4 months of age, it is weaned. Red ruffed lemurs reach sexual maturity after 2 years. (Vasey, 2007)

Reproduction is costly for female red ruffed lemurs. Despite being large lemurs, female red ruffed lemurs have relatively short gestation periods and give birth to multiple offspring. To counter these reproductive costs, females leave their litters in nests or stashing locations, called parking, in the mother’s core area. While mothers travel into the forest, community members of the core area care for the young. This form of alloparenting is commonly practiced in red ruffed lemur communities, reducing maternal reproductive costs. (Vasey, 2007)

Though infant death is common due to falling from nesting sites and other accidents, red ruffed lemurs generally live in the wild for 15 to 20 years. The greatest threat to red ruffed lemurs are habitat destruction, hunting, and animal trade. (Vasey, 1997)

Habitat determines the social systems of red ruffed lemurs. In some parts of the forest, red ruffed lemurs live in affiliation with 18 to 32 others. In other areas, they live in small networks of 2 to 5 individuals. Groups share a common core home range, in which infants are "parked." Border scuffles occur occasionally. Seasonality also affects the social system of red ruffed lemurs. During the wet season, larger groups form as food becomes plentiful. These groups break up and disperse as food become more scarce during the dry season. Unlike other lemurs, red ruffed lemurs might break from a larger group to form smaller parties while foraging. Red ruffed lemurs are very vocal, giving alarm calls and indicating a group's location. Red ruffed lemurs are active during the day. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 2007; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Depending on the group size, a home range might stretch from 25 to 60 ha. Although every group has a core area, members move throughout the forest when foraging, covering up to 1200 m in a day. (Vasey, 1997)

Red ruffed lemurs are very vocal; they bark to each other in a guttural yap. Their vocalizations convey a number of distinct messages. Alarm calls are used to warn group members of nearby predators. While foraging, vocalizations help scattered groups keep together. Red ruffed lemurs also use calls to warn other groups that a territory is already occupied or being used for foraging. Red ruffed lemurs also communicate through scent. Groups are identified through the smells produced in glands on their rears. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 1997; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs eat mostly fruit, nectar, and pollen. During the dry season, when food is scarce, these lemurs also occasionally eat some leaves and seeds. When feeding on the nectar of flowers, red ruffed lemurs play a vital role in the pollination of some hardwood trees. Like all lemurs, red ruffed lemurs have insectivorous dentition slightly modified for frugivory. In addition, the toothcomb used for grooming enables easier peeling of fruit. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 2007; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs give alarm calls to warn other members of their group of approaching predators. Fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox), are the only natural predators of red ruffed lemurs. Recently, human hunting also poses a major predation threat. (Vasey, 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs play an integral role in pollination for many hardwood tree varieties in their range. The long, fox-like snouts of these lemurs are covered with pollen after feeding from the nectar of deep, tubular flowers. The next flower fed on receives this pollen. (Merenlender, et al., 1998)

Red ruffed lemurs are trapped and hunted by the local community. These lemurs are brought into the live animal and pet market. Hunted lemurs provide meat for locals. Lemurs as a group positively affect Malagasy tourism because they are found no where else on earth naturally. ("Red ruffed lemur", 2007; "Red-Ruffed Lemur", 2007; "Red Ruffed Lemur", 2001; Vasey, 2007; "Red ruffed Lemur", 2007)

There are no known adverse effects of V. rubra on humans.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature acknowledges that red ruffed lemurs are critically endangered, but currently only recognize them at the subspecies level (Varecia variegata rubra). Varecia is classified as endangered, along with all members of Lemuridae by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora lists species in the family Lemuridae in Appendix I. Threats to red ruffed lemurs are mainly from deforestation, hunting, and live capture. The Masoala National Forest now protects some of their habitat from further destruction. (Vasey, 2007)

Red ruffed lemurs and white-and-black ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) can hybridize. Such interactions produce black, white, and red offspring. This species was previously recognized as a subspecies of V. variegata: Varecia variegata rubra.