Ring-tailed lemurs travel in troops to deter predators that hunt singular prey, but are still predated by birds, fossas, civets, cats, snakes, and even other lemurs.
Ring-tailed lemurs travel in groups of 15-20 individuals, known as troops, to deter predators that hunt singular prey.
Actual predation pressure on the ring-tailed lemur is unknown, however, some potential predators include raptor birds; cat-like carnivores, such as fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox); civets (Civettictis civetta); various snakes; and even brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus), which have been recorded capturing and eating infant ring-tailed lemurs. Domestic cats (Felis catus) introduced to Madagascar are also responsible for predation losses.
Sources: (Baumhofer, 2017; Cawthon Lang, 2005; Goodman, 2003; Goodman, O’Connor, & Langrand, 1993; Sauther, 2012; Wilson & Hanlon, 2010)
Image: Mathias Appel
