Ringtail lemur body language?

[Akuma223]

Kinda random considering this is a reptile forum but I was wondering if anyone knew of where I could read up on ringtail lemur behavior. A young one I have the privilege of working with is growing and I have difficulty understanding what he's trying to communicate to me. His body language and vocalizations are quite foreign to me so I'd really like to know what his moods are better.

[poison123]

I don't know anything about them but I would love to see pics.

[Akuma223]

I'll see if I can dig one out

[Akuma223]

heres one pic of him plus a coati that I've worked with

[SnoopySnake]

I don't know anything about them but that's awesome that you get the privilege to work with them! I'm jealous, lol.

[Akuma223]

yeah, I actually volunteer there. Its a lot of hard work but being able to play with the lemurs and especially the foxes after is beyond amazing. I love me some fox cuddles

[Zoo Nanny]

Your best source for information is the Duke University Lemur Center. History + Mission | Duke Lemur Center (http://lemur.duke.edu/about/history-mission/)
Lemurs can be fun to work with but don't let them get higher than you, especially over head. You may end up bringing home a bit more than you bargained for. I've had the opportunity to work with a variety of different species of lemur, my favorite is the black. They look like wet cats. They are so temperature restricted one of the zoos I worked at they could only go on exhibit in the summer. The other zoo we only had ring tailed and it was an indoor exhibit. As far as body language goes I really couldn't tell you. They were all so different personality wise. We had one Red Ruffed that was a sweetheart most of the time but would turn on you quicker than any other animal I ever worked with. She'd be acting all sweet and then wham nail you with a bite. I was always careful around her and wouldn't let her get close enough to me to bite. You'll enjoy working with them, they can be a lot of fun. Do you work with any of the adults? If you clean their areas really good, they will stay busy for hours remarking everything.

[Akuma223]

I stay away from the adults. The one male is usually sweet but I don't know his moods enough to go in with him. The breeding pair are scary as hell and make creepy raptor noises when I pass buy. Also what do you mean by don't get them higher then you? Its very hard to control what he does, he'll hop all over his cage and then hop over to me. He'll settle on my arm for a little like he used to when he was a babe but he can't sit still. He'll climb up onto my shoulders if thats what you mean. I'll try not to let him because it makes me nervous and I can't see what he's doing; I have to say foxes are a lot easier to deal with even if they're mad. He understands "no" when I tell him, even if he doesn't like it.

I suppose i'm testing the waters if you will with the lemurs. I want to see these animals at their best and at their worst. If I can handle them when they are at their worst then I am fit to care for one in the future(imo). I know without a doubt I can handle foxes, but I'm delving into deeper territory I guess.

[Zoo Nanny]

Lemurs first line of defense is shooting poop and peeing on you!
Have you worked with wild fox? I love fox but they are a stinky bunch for sure.
"If I can handle them when they are at their worst then I am fit to care for one in the future(imo)."
Do you intend to become a zoo keeper, research attendent or have one as a personal pet?

[Akuma223]

A mix I suppose. I plan on moving from New York when I am done with college and to get a USDA license for exhibiting exotics for educational purposes. Tennessee looks like a good state in terms of climate and exotic laws. I would consider these animals "pets" but that wouldn't be their sole purpose and I wouldn't advertise them as being "pets". I don't believe animals like lemurs can be pets in the traditional sense, I just don't know what word to use. I haven't interacted with wild fox yet, but I intend to buy mine from a reputable breeder in Indiana from a young age when I'm ready for one. I personally love everything about foxes even their stink.

[Zoo Nanny]

Before you purchase a lemur learn everything you can about them. They are not an easy or inexpensive animal to have in a private home. Space alone is difficult as they need huge areas to stay active and healthy. They are also very fragile with temperatures so plan on living somewhere very warm. Care also needs to be taken when outdoors to protect them from the droppings of other animals like raccoon and domestic cats.

[Akuma223]

I probably will never buy a lemur myself honestly. They are so intelligent and there is so much regulation there I'm not sure i'll ever feel responsible to care for one its entire life. But I do however want to learn as much about them as I can. I have the opportunity to snuggle these moody little creatures right now and I want to do all that I can to learn and do my best for them. I never know what animals I will be working with in the future so I try to work with a broad range of them even if primates are scary as heck. My goal is also to interact with the bobcat which seems less frightening then an angry lemur honestly.

[Akuma223]

Also Zoo Nanny, do you have or have you had a lot of personal contact with exotic mammals? Or has it been mostly restricted as it is with most zoos? I'd love to hear your personal experience with all manners of these animals, particularly bobcats (and similar sized wildcats), wolfdogs, blackbears, otters, and raccoons if you have any.

[MDT]

I think he's trying to tell you that he just sent a message to Dr Zaius and General Urko and that the uprising is eminent. You've been warned.....



:)

[Akuma223]

I think he's trying to tell you that he just sent a message to Dr Zaius and General Urko and that the uprising is eminent. You've been warned.....



:)
Oh shiii..... they're on to us!!!

[Zoo Nanny]

Actually there is very little fully "restricted" contact in most zoos. It would be impossible to properly care for an animal or train them. The first zoo I worked at was still full contact with the elephants and the majority of the animals. The only animals there that were non contact were the snow leopards, peccary, ostrich, moon and polar bears and the gibbons. There was limited contacted with the cheetah for catch ups with a minimum of two keepers in with press board. There was also limited contact with some of the larger hoof stock as far as not having a barrier between you and them like the giraffe, zebra and some of the large antelope. A couple of the animals I kept as non contact per my choice like the camels. The second zoo I worked at was a little more restrictive with no contact with large cats, wild dogs, hippo, gorilla and a couple of others. There was minimal contact with most of the animals during training sessions as far as how close your hand was to them or touching them.
I have worked with quite a few exotic animals in the zoos. Bobcat and Lynx both were confiscations by Fish & Wildlife and both were still very wild and dangerous. Ocelot also left to be wild so no direct contact. Contact was limited to training sessions through the chainlink of their holding areas. Coyote, Red Fox, Artic Fox, Grey and Red Wolf I have been in the enclosures with them for cleaning. Most of these animals are very timid and do not approach keepers. One of the coyotes would follow me and she one time came up and sniffed my back actually touching me. It was incredibly exciting. African Wild Dogs are no direct contact, training through the chain link only. Although we did have otter at one zoo I did not work directly with them. They are also a limited contact animal. There are still some animals at the zoos though even though aggressive keepers still go in the enclosures with them. If you see a keeper holding a mop under their arm and using a rake or broom then the animal is aggressive. Mops are used to keep some animals out of reach. This can be anything from large cranes/storks to smaller crocodiles.
In the zoos I worked at some of these animals were being used as breeders for reintroduction programs so keeping them wild was imperative. All of the wolves, ocelot, some of the macaws and cranes were involved in breeding programs.
The uprising is just around the bend!!!! Gorilla intelligence is scary to say the least. Keepers MUST be on their toes at all times.

[Akuma223]

Thanks so much for sharing all that Zoo Nanny. Its unfortunate about the bobcat and lynx being confiscations. If people just did what they were supposed to it'd be better for the animals and the rest of us who want to keep exotics. I've heard that bobcats can be absolutely amazing when bottle-fed properly.
Have you prepared the bunker? We need to hurry before its too late!

[Zoo Nanny]

No bunker, I have connections!!!
Kidding aside though I do have to say that I do not agree with keeping many exotics as pets. There is no way that the average person can offer the proper diet and secure space that most of these animals need. This includes all primates, bears, canids and felines. People do not take in to consideration the what ifs in life when taking on exotic animals. If the person screws up and the animal gets loose or attacks someone it's the animal that pays the ultimate price not the person.