Black and white ruffed lemurs are arboreal creatures, meaning they spend most of their lives in the trees. They are perfectly adapted to life among the branches, using their strong hands and feet to hang from trees while they reach for fruits, leaves, seeds, and nectar. These lemurs are diurnal, so they are most active during the early morning and late evening hours, when they can be seen searching for food or playing in their habitat. An important part of their diet is fruit, but they also contribute to the ecosystem as pollinators, helping plants to thrive.

Sadly, black and white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting in their native home of Madagascar. The destruction of their forest habitat for agriculture and logging has pushed them to the brink of extinction, with only a few thousand individuals left in the wild.

Meet Fresca and Magellen
At the zoo, we are proud to care for two black and white ruffed lemurs—Fresca and Magellen. Their exhibit is a great example of how we provide enrichment for our animals. It’s equipped with platforms, ropes, and fire hose strips that allow the lemurs to display their impressive climbing, jumping, and hanging skills. However, they also enjoy more relaxing moments and can often be seen resting on benches or stretching out in the sunshine.

To keep their minds active, we offer puzzle feeders, where they use their hands to manipulate food out of the puzzles. Their diet consists of specialized zoo primate biscuits, fresh greens, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. This diet not only supports their nutritional needs but also encourages natural foraging behaviors.

Visiting these two lemurs is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this critically endangered species and the importance of preserving their forest home. You may even get to see their playful and intelligent side as they engage with enrichment activities!