The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a large primate and lemurs are known for their long black and white ring tails. One of the five lemur families and the only member of the lemur genus is the Lemuridae. Like all lemurs it is widespread and endangered in Madagascar. In Madagascar it is known locally as maki or hira and lives in the gallery forests and thickets of the southern region of the island. He is omnipotent and the most terrestrial of the living lemurs. This animal works and is active only during the day. Ring-tailed lemurs are highly social living in groups of up to 30 individuals. This is a common feature of female dominance in lemurs. Groups huddle together to stay warm and ensure social cohesion. Ring-tailed lemurs sit upright and face the sun with fine white fur on their sides. Like other lemurs this species relies heavily on its sense of smell and marks its territory with scent glands. Males have a special scent-marking called super-marking where they engage in dogfights by marking their tails with their scent and spreading it to their rivals.
This picture was taken at Zoo Hellabrunn in munic.