Lemur Line Up
Ring-tailed Lemurs                                    
Print size: 64.5 x 23 centimetres (25.4” x 9.1” inches)
Limited Edition of 495
Lithographic print
Signed and numbered by David Dancey-Wood
Released in 2005
 
"Every since I saw Johnny Morris as a small boy on the BBC's  Animal Magic with Dotty the Lemur, I've had a soft spot for ring-tails. I even tried to adopt a ring-tail from Bristol Zoo but was very disappointed to find you did not get to take them home..."
 
David Dancey-Wood, from his book Pencils patience and primates
 
Physical Characteristics
Ring-tailed lemurs are medium-sized primates, with adults weighing around 5 to 8 pounds and standing about 1 to 1.5 feet tall. They have soft, thick fur that ranges in color from gray to reddish-brown, and their faces are mostly black with white fur around their eyes and on their muzzles.
As their name suggests, ring-tailed lemurs have long, bushy tails with alternating black and white stripes. These tails are used for communication and balance, and they are also a key part of the lemurs' social structure.
Behavior and Social Structure
Ring-tailed lemurs are social animals that live in groups called troops. Troops can range in size from just a few individuals to more than 30, and they are led by a dominant female called the alpha female.
Ring-tailed lemurs are known for their unique behavior, which includes sunbathing, huddling together for warmth, and performing a variety of vocalizations and displays to communicate with each other.
One of the most distinctive behaviors of ring-tailed lemurs is called "stink fighting." During mating season, males will compete for females by rubbing their tails on scent glands on their wrists and then waving their tails at other males to establish dominance. This behavior helps to reduce physical confrontations and protect the health of the troop.