Red-ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

Current distribution

• Northeastern Madagascar (from Andriaholinirina et al. 2014; Mittermeier et al. 2010)
  • Masoala Peninsula
    • North and east of the Bay of Antongil within Masoloa National Park
    • Westernmost range unclear
  • Uncertain former distribution
    • Likely north to Antalaha

Primary forests (from Mittermeier et al. 2010 unless otherwise noted)

• Moist lowland regions
  • 0-1,200 m (0-3,937 ft)
  • A single intact forest remains within its range
• Dwell in the upper canopy (Vasey 2004)
  • Rarely on the ground (Vasey 2004)

Climate (from Vasey 2000a unless otherwise noted)

• Annual rainfall patterns
  • Most rain falls January-August
  • Region experiences more rain than any other locality in Madagascar (Vasey 2006)
• Temperature range
  • Mean minimum temperature
    • 19-23°C
  • Mean maximum temperature
    • 22.5-32°C

Four distinctive seasons within range (from Vasey 2006)

• Hot, rainy
  • January-March
  • Production of fruits, flowers, and young leaves increases within forests
• Transitional, cold
  • April-May
• Cold, rainy
  • June-August
  • Climatic features of September unlike any of these four
• Hot, dry
  • October-December
  • Production of fruits, flowers, and young leaves increases within forests

Red-ruffed lemur distribution (Varecia rubra). Adapted from d-maps.com according to IUCN fact sheet. Click here or on map for detailed distribution (IUCN).

Andriaholinirina et al. (2014)
Mittermeier et al. (2010)
Vasey (2000a)
Vasey (2004)
Vasey (2006)