Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur
CR

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

Varecia variegata

Declining

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is an endangered species of ruffed lemur, one of two which are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities and reproductively isolated. It also has less coverage and protection in large national parks than the red ruffed lemur.

Three subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur have been recognized since the red ruffed lemur was elevated to species status in 2001.

The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and forest fragmentation across its eastern Madagascar range. Hunting pressure for bushmeat and capture for the illegal pet trade compound habitat loss, while cyclones and droughts increasingly disrupt breeding cycles and food availability. Mining activities and agricultural expansion continue to fragment the remaining forest corridors essential for this arboreal species' survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs inhabit the upper canopy of primary and secondary rainforests in eastern Madagascar, preferring areas with continuous forest cover and abundant fruiting trees. They require large territories with diverse tree species for their specialized frugivorous diet and are particularly dependent on intact forest corridors for movement between feeding areas.

Forest· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in LEMURIDAE

Red-bellied LemurVU

Red-bellied Lemur

Eulemur rubriventer

Declining
VU

Brown Lemur

Eulemur fulvus

Declining
VU

Red Brown Lemur

Eulemur rufus

Declining
EN

Collared Brown Lemur

Eulemur collaris

Declining

Threatened in Madagascar

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Montipora calcarea

Declining
Nasolo's Shrew TenrecVU

Nasolo's Shrew Tenrec

Microgale nasoloi

Declining
EN

Pseudoxyrhopus kely

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur classified as Critically Endangered?
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and forest fragmentation across its eastern Madagascar range. Hunting pressure for bushmeat and capture for the illegal pet trade compound habitat loss, while cyclones and droughts increasingly disrupt breeding cycles and food availability. Mining activities and agricultural expansion continue to fragment the remaining forest corridors essential for this arboreal species' survival.
Where does Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur live?
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur?
The main threats to Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur are 11.1, 2.1, 3.2, and 5.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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