Shaldon Wildlife Trust Proudly Welcomes Three Extremely Rare Lemur Babies

Shaldon Wildlife Trust is a small zoo located in Teignmouth, United Kingdom. The zoo is truly unique. It's a charity dedicated to the conservation of smaller endangered species such as marmosets and tamarins from South America, lemurs from Madagascar, yellow-breasted capuchins, and squirrel monkeys. Recently, the zoo has excitedly announced the birth of three new baby red ruffed lemurs.

Image Credit: Shaldon Wildlife Trust

In the Facebook post on May 31st, the zoo officers expressed their excitement when the mother lemur brought her babies outside for the first time. She gave birth to these babies about six weeks earlier. This litter is Eka and Nero's 4th set of babies here at the Trust.
Red ruffed lemurs are a unique type of lemur with primate-like appearances. They differ greatly from all other lemurs with a thick, reddish coat and a long, black, heavily furred tail. They also display a conspicuous white tuff above the head with a black face and long snout.

Image Credit: Shaldon Wildlife Trust

 
Generally, lemurs often let the babies cling to their belly or on their back while moving around. However, red-ruffed lemurs leave their infants in nests or secluded places in special areas known as parkings. Group members will take care of the babies while the mother is away.

Image Credit: Shaldon Wildlife Trust

This species can give birth up to 6 young each time, but a litter of 3 to 4 is more common. Being classified as critically endangered, the birth of three red-ruffed lemurs at Shaldon Wildlife Trust is truly worth celebrating. In the natural environment, red-ruffed lemurs play a vital role in the pollination of various hardwood trees. The pollen covers their snout as they feed on flowers' nectar, then it is transferred to other flowers as they get the next meal. Without this species, many trees and flowers may gradually disappear in the wild.
H/T: thekoalabears