Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

Taxobox
name = Black-and-white Ruffed LemurMSW3 Groves|pages=117]
status = CR
status_ref = IUCN2008|assessors=Andrainarivo, C., et al|year=2008|id=22918|title=Varecia variegata|downloaded=06 Oct 2008 Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A2cd v3.1)]
trend = down
status_system = iucn3.1

---

regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
familia = Lemuridae
genus = "Varecia"
species = "V. variegata"
binomial = "Varecia variegata"
binomial_authority = (Kerr, 1792)
range_

---

range_map_caption=Distribution of "Varecia variegatta subspecies"cite book | author = Mittermeier, Russell A., et al. | title = Lemurs of Madagascar | edition = 2nd Edition | pages = 303-323 | publisher = Conservation International | year = 2006 | isbn=1-881173-88-7]

The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur ("Varecia variegata") is one of the two species of ruffed lemurs, the other being the Red Ruffed Lemur. Like all lemurs, it is native only to Madagascar.

The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur can grow up to 4 ft long, although typically a little smaller, and is about 7.3-8.4 lb. Its lifespan in captivity is about 18 years but many live to 20. It is quadrupedal. The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur is black with white areas on its limbs head and back. Its neck has a mane and the face has a muzzle like a dog's. Males and females look the same. It has the second loudest call of any primate, second only to the howler monkey.Fact|date=February 2007 It is the only lemur known to have litters rather than solitary young.

Its diet consists mainly of sweet fruits, leaves, nectar, flowers, seeds, and even dirt in some cases. It usually searches for food alone, rejoining its small group later to sleep.

The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur is preyed upon by boa constrictors, eagles and the Fossa. Because the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur is diurnal, the nocturnal Fossa poses the biggest threat.

There are three subspecies:
* "Varecia variegata variegata"
* Southern Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, "Varecia variegata editorum"
* White-belted Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, "Varecia variegata subcincta"

References

External links

*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Varecia_variegata/ images and movies of the ruffed lemur "(Varecia variegata)"]
*Parco Zoo Punta Verde [http://www.parcozoopuntaverde.it/IMG_UPLOAD/NewsAllegato_445_Varecia_variegata_eng.pdf "The black and white ruffed lemur - Varecia variegata"]
* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Varecia_variegata.html Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur] at "Animal Diversity Web"