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Black and White Ruffed Lemur Husbandry Manual for Black and White Ruffed Lemur Varecia variegata variegata (Mammalia: Lemuridae) Author: Cindy-Lou McGillivray Date of Preparation: August, 2007 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name and Number: Certificate III in Captive Animals (1068). RUV3405A Lecturer: Graeme Phipps 1 DISCLAIMER RUV 3405A These husbandry guidelines were produced by the compiler/author at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Richmond College, N.S.W. Australia as part assessment for completion of Certificate III in Captive Animals, Course number 1068, RUV30204. Since the husbandry guidelines are the result of student project work, care should be taken in the interpretation of information therein, - in effect, all care taken but no responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage that may result from the use of these guidelines. It is offered to the ASZK Husbandry Manuals Register for the benefit of animal welfare and care. Husbandry guidelines are utility documents and are ‘works in progress’, so enhancements to these guidelines are invited. 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Black and White Ruff Lemurs can become aggressive towards their keepers as well as each other during the breeding season. Females during oestrus can strike out with their arms and claws causing nasty injuries not only to their mate but also to their keepers. They also have agile hands and a high level of intelligence. Therefore, limiting contact during these periods may be necessary. Varecia variegata variegata groups are territorial and defend those territories. Both males and females have huge sharp canines, which are capable of inflicting wounds upon a bite. Although the females are most involved in defence. The Lemur has the second loudest (second only to the Howler Monkey) call of any primate and will let out this call to warn the others if it spots a predator. This alarm call sometimes becomes deafening especially if you are close to them when they decide to vocalise as it can be heard up to two kilometres away (earth watch.org). Due to the fact that they have small hands and sharp claws they are also capable of getting their fingers (and claws) stuck in objects such as milk crates (or small mesh) that have small openings in the sides of them. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................6 2 TAXONOMY..........................................................…...................................................................... 7 2.1 NOMENCLATURE......................................................……................................................................ 7 2.2 SUBSPECIES.....................................................................……......................................................... 7 2.3 RECENT SYNONYMS...............................................................…….................................................. 7 2.4 OTHER COMMON NAMES.............................................................……............................................ 7 3 NATURAL HISTORY......................................................................................................................8 3.1 MORPHOMETRICS...............................................................................…….......................................9 3.1.1 Mass And Basic Body Measurements...................................................……................................. 9 3.1.2 Sexual Dimorphism......................................................................................…….........................10 3.1.3 Distinguishing Features.....................................................................................……................... 10 3.2 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT.....................................................................................…………………...……...........12 3.3 CONSERVATION STATUS.......................................................................................……………………............…….....14 3.3.1 CONSERVATION IN THE WILD......................................................................................………………………….....15 3.4 LONGEVITY................................................................................................……..............................15 3.4.1 In the Wild...................................................................................................………...................... 16 3.4.2 In Captivity..........................................................................................................………..............16 3.4.3 Techniques Used to Determine Age in Adults..............................................................…….........18 4 HOUSING REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................21 4.1 EXHIBIT/ENCLOSURE DESIGN......................................................................…….............................21 4.2 HOLDING AREA DESIGN......................................................................................…….....................22 4.3 SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................……...............23 4.4 POSITION OF ENCLOSURES................................................................................................……........25 4.5 WEATHER PROTECTION...........................................................................................................…….26 4.6 TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS................................................................……................................26 4.7 SUBSTRATE......................................................................................................…….........................27 4.7.1 OPEN/ISLAND ENCLOSURES...................................................................……………………………........................27 4.7.2 MESHED ENCLOSURES.........………........................................................……………………………........................27 4.8 NESTBOXES AND/OR BEDDING MATERIAL...............................................................……..........…...28 4.9 ENCLOSURE FURNISHINGS..................................................................................................…...…...28 5 GENERAL HUSBANDRY...............................................................................................................29 5.1 HYGIENE AND CLEANING.................................................................................................……........29 5.2 RECORD KEEPING..............................................................................................…….......................30 5.3 METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION........................................................................................…….........31 5.4 ROUTINE DATA COLLECTION...............................................................................................……....31 6 FEEDING REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................34 6.1 DIET IN THE WILD.........................................................................................................…….....…...34 6.1 CAPTIVE DIET..................................................................................................................……..…....36 6.2 SUPPLEMENTS.........................................................................................................................….….37 6.3 PRESENTATION OF FOOD.................................................................................................…….........38 7 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT..................................………………………………………….38 7.1 TIMING OF CAPTURE AND HANDLING.......................................……...............................................38 7.2 CATCHING BAGS.............................................................................…….........................................39 7.3 CAPTURE AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES...............................................……...................................39 7.4 WEIGHING AND EXAMINATION...................................................................…….............................40 7.5 RELEASE...........................................................................................................…….......................40 7.6 TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................……...……….40 7.6.1 Box Design.................................................................................................................………........41 7.6.2 Furnishings..........................................................………..............................................................41 7.6.3 Water and Food............................................................……........................................................41 7.6.4 Animals per Box..................................................................…….................................................42 7.6.5 Timing of Transportation.........................................................……............................................42 7.6.6 Release from Box...........................................................................……......................................42 4 8 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................................43 8.1 DAILY HEALTH CHECKS..........................................................…….................................................43
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