CATTA

Catta commonly refers to Lemur catta, the ring-tailed lemur, a strepsirrhine primate native to Madagascar. It is the best-known member of the genus Lemur and is notable for its long, alternating black-and-white tail. Ring-tailed lemurs belong to the family Lemuridae and are diurnal, highly social animals that form multi-male, multi-female groups.

Geographic range and habitat: Lemur catta inhabits the southern and western parts of Madagascar, occupying deciduous forests, gallery forests along rivers, and scrublands. They are adaptable and may forage on the ground, a behavior that distinguishes them from many other lemurs.

Physical description: Adults typically measure 40–60 cm in body length, with a tail of comparable length, and weigh around 2–5 kg. The tail is used for balance and signaling within the group. They have a pale face with dark eye patches and a distinctive ringed tail; a dental comb is present, as in other lemurs. Their eyes are large, reflecting their visual acuity in bright daylight.

Behavior and social structure: Ring-tailed lemurs are among the most terrestrial and sun-loving of lemurs. They live in groups that can number from 6 to over 20 individuals and often exhibit female dominance. They communicate with vocalizations, scent marking from wrist and anal glands, and tail postures, using the tail as a visual signal during social interactions and group movements.

Diet and reproduction: Their diet is omnivorous, dominated by fruit and leaves but including flowers, seeds, bark, sap, and insects. Breeding occurs mainly in the austral autumn, with a gestation of about 135 days and births typically in September–October. Most litters consist of a single infant, though twins occur occasionally.

Conservation status: The IUCN lists Lemur catta as Vulnerable, facing habitat loss, fragmentation, hunt­ing, and the illegal pet trade. Protected areas and captive breeding programs help mitigate declines, but ongoing habitat protection is essential for long-term survival.