Diet and Feeding Behaviour of the Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) in the Betampona Reserve, Eastern Madagascar

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Abstract
The feeding behaviour and diet of the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) was investigated in the Betampona Reserve, eastern Madagascar. The highly frugivorous diet of this subspecies was confirmed – feeding on fruits accounting for 92.0% of feeding records. Most feeding at Betampona was observed at 10–25 m above the forest floor amongst flexible, small (0.5–5.0 cm diameter) and oblique/horizontal (0–45°) supports. The Varecia spent on average 21.7% (± 1.5) of their daily activity budget feeding and employ a variety of postures that enable them to harvest fruits in the rain forest canopy. The suspensory postures were the most important in allowing Varecia to compete with other smaller-bodied frugivores.

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