Lemuridae
Primates
Mammalia
90-102 days
From 2 to 6.
It is the most frugivorous lemur that exists. Its diet is mainly based on fruits, however, it also feeds on leaves, nectar and seeds, depending on the season.
19 years in the wild, up to 28-32 years in captivity.
They have a considerable size and a long tail of about 60 cm in length. As its name suggests, its fur is black and white. The abdomen, sides, tail, limbs and face are usually black; but this pattern may vary depending on the area they inhabit.
They are mainly arboreal, although they can also be observed in lowlands. They live in social groups of 2 to 10 individuals and generally forage for food alone, regrouping later to sleep. They communicate, like all lemurs, through vocalizations that bring the group together and warn of possible dangers, such as the presence of fossas, their main predator.
It is probably the only species of primate that builds nests exclusively for its young. On the other hand, the black-and-white vari has the second loudest call of all primates, the most powerful being that of the howler monkey.
