The husbandry practices for the different species of Lemur are extremely similar. Therefore, a husbandry guide for Lemur will first be presented which outlines the standard practices for the genus as a whole and the species which are exceptions to the standard will be noted. Following this, each species will be reviewed separately and the noted exceptions will be expanded upon.
HOUSING
Lemur species are characteristically diurnal and large bodied in comparison to the nocturnal lemurs housed at the DUPC. 
They are kept in two basic housing arrangements, outdoor cages and forested enclosures. In both cases they are kept outdoors year round on the natural Durham, NC light cycle and photo period. They are provided with heated nest boxes for use in the cold, winter months.
The outdoor cages are made of wire mesh and are constructed around a metal or wooden frame. The mesh size is 3.8 cm. x 3.8 cm. and made of 12 gauge wire. Resting shelves, 1/2 quart water bottles, a network of large branches and small cut trees, and a heated nest box for temperatures below 10 o C are provided in each cage (see pg. 35), Most cages have a sandy floor to facilitate cleaning, while some have grass floors and some have bamboo stands growing within them. Caged Lemur species are given an average space of 11.4 m3 cubed per individual, with a range of 4.1 to 21 m3. These species do well with this space. Space per animal is maximized whenever possible.
The forested enclosures are described in Appendix 5. Compatibility between species groups is dependent upon size of enclosure. However, some general trends in compatibility can be drawn. Subspecific groups of the species L. fulvus (Brown Lemur) are very aggressive towards one another. L. catta (Ringtail Lemur) can coexist with all other Lemur species. L. coronatus has coexisted peacefully with Propithecus. L. macaco is considered to be aggressive to other Lemur groups. Again, comparability is highly dependent and conspecific and interspecific relations are likely to change with changing enclosure size.
SOCIAL GROUP
Lemur species are kept in mated pairs and family groups. There are variations in composition of family groups and each will be discussed separately. The major exception is L. catta (Ringtail).
DIET
Lemur species are fed once a day in the mid morning. The standard diet is as follows:
8 pieces Purina Monkey Chow (cracked or uncracked)
1 fruit of the day (cut into eighths)
fresh water
Lactating mothers are given 50% more food as necessary. Half a cup of Gatorade (diluted to 50%) is given per animal when temperatures are greater than 32 oC. L. coronatus and L. mongoz receive special diets.
REPRODUCTION
Lemur species are seasonally polyestrous. Females can cycle two or three times until conception. Breeding occurs in the fall and births in the spring for most species. Estrous cycle lengths and gestation lengths vary between species.
BIRTH, MATERNAL BEHAVIOR, AND INFANT DEVELOPMENT
To minimize perinatal loss, the procedures in Appendix 4 is followed for Lemur. The date of parturition is determined through observation of copulations and genital changes, vaginal smear sampling, and palpation for pregnancy. Also, excessive vaginal licking and restlessness is a sign of imminent parturition, The pregnant female is isolated from her group 1-2 weeks before she is expected to give birth, however animals in the forested enclosures are usually not isolated but are monitored closely for the first few days after the infant is born.
Parturition usually occurs in the morning, although births have also occurred at different times of day and night. Normal litter size is one although twins are not uncommon in some species. The infant is not left in a nest. It clings to the mother from the moment of birth. When an infant is too weak to cling, the mother with infant should be placed in a smaller cage to minimize the mother's movement and to maximize nursing.
Infants of most Lemur species are carried dorsally and with their anterior-posterior axis perpendicular to the mother's. Lemur infants will usually begin sampling adult food at 2 months. Finely chopped fruit and cracked chow can be introduced at this time. At 3 months infants should be eating adult food although they will continue to nurse intermittently until approximately 5 months. Females of Lemur species are sexually mature by the second breeding season after birth and can breed their fathers at this time. Males are also sexually mature at two years of agetime but can be kept with the family group for 3-4 years as the adult male prevents them from breeding either through behavioral or physiological inhibition.
MEDICAL
The normal body-temperature is 37.2 - 37.6 oC. Lemur species have been infected with enteric pathogens like Yersinia. In the forested enclosures, botfly larvae infestation can become a problem. Then, the animals are caught and larvae are removed with a tweezer, especially if infection is observed or the infestation is in a dangerous location (i.e.. neck, around eyes). Lemur species are susceptible to parasites and have been infected with Strongyloides, round worms, tape worms, and pin worms. They are wormed twice per year.
(LEMUR CATTA)
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES
L. catta is primarily a diurnal species although it is occasionally active at night (Jolly, 1966). it is found in the southwest of Madagascar, with its range extending into the central highlands. The habitat of this species includes closed canopy forest, open forest, and brush areas (Budnitz and Dainis 1975). It is the most terrestrial species of Lemur species although it will occupy all vegetation zones (Sussman 1972, 1974). This species occurs in multimale, multifemale groups of 5 to 24 individuals. There are separate dominance hierarchies for each sex with females dominating the males. The groups occupy well defined territories (Budnitz and Dainis, 1975; Jolly, 1966). The natural diet is fruit, flowers, leaves, and herbs with seasonal variation in the relative proportions of these components (Jolly, 1966; Sussman 1972, 1974).
HOUSING
Ring-tailed lemurs are mostly kept in forested enclosures (Appendix 5). Exceptions are those individuals who are rejected from social groups or are awaiting introduction. They are housed in the standard outdoor cages.
SOCIAL GROUP
Ring-tailed lemurs are kept in large multimale, multifemale groups of related and unrelated individuals. Presently there is a group of 20 occupying a 3.5 hectare enclosure and another group of ten occupying a 4.4 hectare enclosure. The lemurs that are housed singly have either been rejected by the groups or are awaiting introduction to them (Appendix 5).
DIET
Ring-tailed lemurs receive the standard diet, Normal body weight is 2.1-3.0 kg with the males getting heavier during breeding season.
REPRODUCTION
Ring-tailed lemurs breed from October to January in Durham, NC, Occasionally they breed in February and March. They are seasonally polyestrous and the estrous cycle length is approximately 39 days. If no conception occurs during the first estrus the female will come into estrus again approximately 30 days later. Gestation length is approximately 135 days.
BIRTH, MATERNAL BEHAVIOR AND INFANT DEVELOPMENT
Standard except ring-tailed lemur infants first ride clinging beneath the mother and parallel to her anteriorposterior axis.
MEDICAL
standard