There are two sub-species (types) of ruffed lemur, the black and white ruffed (Varecia variegata variegata), and the red ruffed - (Varecia variegata rubra).

Ruffed lemurs are one of the biggest species of lemur, measuring just over a metre from nose to tail.

Ruffed lemurs are the only primates with litters of young, the female may give birth to up to six babies, which are deposited in a nest, not carried around like other species!

The Red-ruffed lemur has a fixed breeding season which takes place towards the end of the dry season (May to July). This is so the young can be born in the wet season when more food is available.