A newborn ring-tailed lemur relies completely on its mother until five months of age and will ride on her underbelly or back until then.
Newborn ring-tailed lemurs spend their first two weeks of life riding on the underbellies of their mothers. After the first two weeks, the young ride on the backs of their mothers and begin to explore their surroundings.
The young are weaned starting at eight weeks of age. Until fully weaned at five months, all nutrition is obtained from the lemur’s mother.
Sources: (Baumhofer, 2017; Cawthon Lang, 2005; Gould, Sussman, & Sauther, 2003; Sauther, 2012; Wilson & Hanlon, 2010)
Image: Mathias Appel
