The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a species of lemur native to the island of Madagascar. Here’s a description of its distribution within the country:

1. Madagascar: Ring-tailed lemurs are found throughout various regions of Madagascar, particularly in the southern and southwestern parts of the island. They inhabit a range of habitats, including dry deciduous forests, spiny forests, and gallery forests. Ring-tailed lemurs are also known to inhabit disturbed habitats, such as agricultural land and scrubland.

Ring-tailed lemurs are easily recognizable by their distinctive appearance, characterized by a long, bushy tail with alternating black and white bands. They have gray fur on their body, with white faces surrounded by black eye patches. Ring-tailed lemurs are primarily terrestrial, spending much of their time on the ground, where they forage for food and socialize in groups known as troops.

Despite their widespread distribution within Madagascar, ring-tailed lemurs face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment. They are also hunted for bushmeat and captured for the illegal pet trade. Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining populations and their habitats, including the establishment of protected areas and community-based conservation initiatives.