Ringtail Lemurs - 'Maddy & Gazkar'

This is Maddy and Gazkar, our Ringtail Lemurs. They are 3 year old twins and each weigh about 7 pounds. In the wild, Lemurs are found only on the island of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa. There are 49 other known species of lemur, with two of those being recent discoveries. Madagascar is considered one of the most important conservation hotspots because lemurs are some of our oldest evolutionary relatives. Unfortunately, they are also the most endangered primate, with habitat destruction being their biggest threat.

Ringtail lemurs are the most easily recognizable of all the lemurs, with light-gray to gray-brown fur on their body, and white patches on their face and muzzle. They have large cat-like ears with white ruffs, and are best known for their long black and white ringed tail, which can be nearly twice as long as their body and head. Their tails are kept up in the air like flags while the troops travel, helping them stay together. They are also the most vocal of all the lemurs, having several different calls to alert other members of the troop to potential danger.

Both our lemurs are a joy to be around, and because they are primates they need a lot of socialization and attention. They like to climb in our shirts, groom our eyebrows and swing from our hair. Sometimes that's a bit of a surprise. New things always catch their attention, and they are very curious about new people. They are both secure, and content to sit one on each shoulder while eating their dinner.