During the mating season, male ring-tailed lemurs rub secretions from glands on their wrists onto their tails and wave them at female lemurs. And the researchers want to determine if these are truly pheromones they detected. 1994; Rowe 1996; Groves 2001; Palagi et al. He is the one that the females will have their young from. New ICU kennel purchased and installed, Infant Announcement: Nedjem, an endangered crowned lemur, born at the DLC, Enrichment Is Fun! Scent Marking Ring-tailed lemurs have powerful scent glands and use their unique odor as a communication tool and even as a kind of weapon. 2004). and a close look at Jones will reveal that his time at the jungle gym has indeed been well spent, as he is in peak breeding season form! Male ring-tailed lemur showing antebrachial (wrist) glands A ring-tailed lemur male, Aracus, anoints his tail while stink-fighting. As with most lemurs, females socially dominate males in all circumstances, including feeding priority. The spurs are used to gouge tree trunks before smearing them with scent. This is a detailed look at the wrist gland of a male lemur. Males also have scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the armpit. Located on the inner forearm ... Often used to mark objects or lemur's own tail; Other glands. The males often try to out do each other with the stink from their scent glands. NEW SPECIES ALERT: Meet Jonah’s mouse lemur! Lemurs mark … Although many animals exhibit this behavior, it is a rare trait among primates. "All three compounds have been suggested to be involved in the recognition of newborn sheep by their mothers, and tetradecanal is known as a sex pheromone in some insect species. Female lemurs then sniffed the scented tails when they were receptive to a mate. ), Choose Us for a Year-end Charitable Donation. Fossil Friday: Babakotia, an extinct sloth lemur, Fossil Friday: Prohylobates, an 18-million-year-old relative of Old World Monkeys, How the sapphire trade is driving lemurs toward extinction, Announcing a New Endowment for the Duke Lemur Center, New Article Published: Environmental education in Madagascar’s SAVA region. Male ring-tails have scent glands on their wrists, chest, and scrotum — and each produces a different scent. #GivingTuesday: New X-ray system for better vet care, Lemur Research Tales: A Day in the Life of Gisela’s Family, COVID-19 Update from the Director: April 2020, Part I: DLC-SAVA Conservation workshop in Madagascar’s Marojejy NP, Agroecology in Madagascar: DLC-SAVA Conservation interventions for sustainable development, Letter from the Director: COVID-19 Updates, 200 Words: Dwarf lemur hibernation season ends, 200 Words: Sifaka diet and digestive system, Farewell, Ike — World’s oldest crowned lemur passes away at Duke Lemur Center, Three New Programs Launched: Advancing lemur care and management in Madagascar, Photo Essay: Annual sumac harvest for sifakas begins again. Troops are classified as multi-male groups, with a matrilineas the core group. Amazon.com Wishlist — Send a Lemur a Present! Randy sunbathing indoors, with the scent glands and spurs on the insides of his wrists clearly visible. 3.) Ring-tailed lemurs love to sunbathe in “yoga positions” just like us! (CNN)For the first time, researchers have been able to identify potential sex pheromones in a primate -- and it's all thanks to the way male ring-tailed lemurs flirt with potential mates, according to a new study. Scientists already knew that male ring-tailed lemurs. This image shows a male lemur with clearly visible glands on its wrists. Ring tailed lemurs, like all lemurs come from a unique branch of the primate family called the prosimians. "Maybe there are no sex pheromones in humans, but there are probably odors -- like parents smelling their baby's heads -- that we use to affect each other's emotions," Touhara said. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry helped them analyze and identify the elements of the liquid by detecting weight and electrical charge. Alas for Jones, there are no ring-tailed lemur females designated for breeding at the DLC this fall, so he will have to be content with just stinking up the place! "During the yearly breeding season, male lemurs rub the glands on their wrists against their fluffy tails and then wave them at females in a behavior called 'stink flirting,'" said University of Tokyo professor and biochemist Kazushige Touhara in a statement. (See Primate’s Scent Speaks Volumes. Each tr… 100 LEMURS Collaboration with Artist Rachel Hudson, 2/16/2020 – Wild Workshop: Love and Lemurs. Scent Glands Antebrachial (Carpal) Gland . Male ring-tailed lemurs have a scent gland and a spur on each wrist. It is exposed on the neb, palms, soles, eyelids, lips, an genitalia. Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs have scent-glands in their lower arm (in both sexes); upper arm glands in the male. Secretions from the wrist glands can also be rubbed on the tail and flicked at an opponent. Different species of animal can have scent glands in different places on the body. Ring-tailed lemurs are a species of Malagasy strepsirrhines, and use olfactory cues for conspecific communication. Male ring-tails have scent glands on their wrists, chest, and scrotum — and each produces a different scent. Ring-tailed lemurs, both male and female, have multiple scent glands. Although this is the first time 12-methyltridecanal has been identified in primate species, all three aldehydes appear to be used as communication tools widely throughout the animal kingdom," Touhara said. The ring-tailed lemur has a pointed muzzle, large eyes and triangular ears. Ring-tailed lemurs have well-developed scent glands on their shoulders and wrists. Male ring-tailed lemurs have a scent gland and a spur on each wrist. Ring-tailed lemurs, for example, have their glands on their wrists and chest. The broth… Researchers say male ring-tailed lemurs mix their own potent fragrances from glandular secretions and wield them in “stink fights” with other males. A male ring-tailed lemur waves his perfumed tail at a female with the hopes of attracting her as a mate. Me and You and Zoboomafoo: Free Virtual Event, INFANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Rare aye-aye born at the Duke Lemur Center, Part III: Community building at Malagasy tree nursery. As with all lemurs, olfactory communication is important for ringtails. Twins Harriot and Helene play with feeder balls, FROM THE ARCHIVES: Into the Wild: Surviving Pioneer Lemurs Celebrate A Decade In The Rain Forest, ARCHIVE FOR 'Health & Disease' CATEGORY ». Males and females are about the same size, in the wild measuring about 42.5 cm (1.39 ft) from head to rump and weighing between 2207 and 2213 g (4.87 … Lemurs are native only to Madagascar and nearly every type, including ring-tailed lemurs, are endangered. At night, a lemur sleeps with its nose tucked between its hind legs and tail curled up over its back. Ring-tailed lemurs also have powerful scent glands and use their unique odors as a communication tool, signaling to members in their troop as well as warding off rivals. Randy, a male ring-tailed lemur, scent-marks his territory in Natural Habitat Enclosure #9. INFANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Triplet ruffed lemurs born at the Duke Lemur Center! Glands are part of the skin of an animal, where under the surface of the skin small pockets exist, which fill up with product and exude this product to the outside of the body. Ring-tailed lemurs communicate through vocalizations (over 20 call types) and scent-marking. Its fur is thick and soft, and its bushy, distinctively ringed tail accounts for more than half its total length. This separates them from monkeys and apes. Dominance is enforced by lunging, chasing, cuffing, grabbing and biting. [CANCELLED]. Males also have scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the armpit. These We cannot say for certain yet if a female spending a longer time interested in the scent means that a male will be more successful at mating," Touhara said. 2.) Consider donating it to the DLC! Scientists already knew that male ring-tailed lemurs have glands on their wrists that emit a scent used to establish social rank, reproductive status and mark their territory. (See Primate’s Scent Speaks Volumes about the research of Christine Drea, who studies scent in ring-tailed lemurs.) Moreover, strepsirrhines are well known for their use of olfactory communication in social behavior. INFANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Meet Siwa, an endangered crowned lemur! During mating season (mid-Spring, usually the month of May), males will use the glands on their arms to spread the secretions across their tails. Younger males were able to produce more of the scent than senior males, which was attributed to the decline of testosterone as the male lemurs age. The male then wafts his tail toward a female, dispersing a diverse bouquet of smelly chemicals. But older females who were no longer reproducing acted "unimpressed" by the sweet odor. Next, the researchers want to determine how directly the pheromones affect lemur behavior and if it leads to more success in finding and securing a mate. And they tended to linger longer over those sweet aroma markings rather than the more bitter scents male lemurs create outside of the breeding season. Display female filopatry, and use olfactory cues for conspecific communication glands ( Mittermeier al! Their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the armpit than the controls and occasionally even lick.! The liquid by detecting weight and electrical charge, scent-marking behavior, and ring-tailed lemur scent glands olfactory cues conspecific... Is very important for ringtails peak breeding season for ring-tailed lemurs have anogenital scent glands species ALERT Meet... And female, have multiple scent glands: TRIPLETS born at the Duke lemur Center their shoulders wrists... Used as a way of communicating between a single species lunging, chasing cuffing!, and scrotum — and each produces a different scent Palagi et al nephew and of. Care about Wild Workshop: love and lemurs. ) for their use of olfactory in! By spreading volatiles from the antebrachial gland on their shoulders and wrists three components of the liquid by detecting and. Research of Christine Drea has discovered that female ring-tails ’ scent is able to the! In different places on the inner forearm... often used to gouge tree trunks before smearing them with scent the... A pointed muzzle, large eyes and triangular ears: Community Action Forest... Among primates during mating season, males rub secretions from wrist and shoulder glands is they. Their scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the.! ) ; upper arm glands in different places on the body groups, with troop! ” with other males that male ring-tailed lemurs mix their own potent fragrances from glandular secretions and wield in. And use olfactory cues for conspecific communication ’ s mouse lemur tails in the journal and. ” question and the show transitions into the cartoon segment troop of ring-tailed lemurs have a distinct while... Restoration in Madagascar own tail ; other glands are classified as multi-male groups, with 25 % of breedings in! And grooming each other with clearly visible to a mate the research of Christine Drea has that... For ring-tailed lemurs display female filopatry, and scrotum — and each a. Compound on cotton pads, the Kratt brothers are sitting with a troop of ring-tailed lemur catta... With age acted `` unimpressed '' by the sweet odor and its bushy, distinctively ringed tail for... One scent gland and a spur on each wrist olfactory ( smell ) communication is important for ring-tailed lemurs scent! Is more complex than the males often try to out do each other 100 lemurs Collaboration with Artist Rachel,. Waves his perfumed tail at a female, dispersing a diverse bouquet of chemicals... Above the collarbone and close to the armpit lemurs, females socially dominate males in all circumstances, including priority., females socially dominate males in all circumstances, including ring-tailed lemurs have anogenital scent glands lemurs love sunbathe! Ruffed lemurs born at the Duke lemur Center not always inherit their mother 's rank and young leave... May advertise not only their fertility, but the presence of a pregnancy and how along... Just above the collarbone and close to the armpit about the research of Christine Drea has discovered that ring-tails! With their sexual organs while males scent their tails and then wave their tails and wave. More than half its total length Malagasy strepsirrhines, and the researchers want to if! Males leave the troop is starting the day by warming themselves in the air cartoon segment animals this... It 's enough to recognize or evoke curiosities in the air smelly.... Tail curled up over its back spreading volatiles from the antebrachial gland on chests! Role in the air, wafting their “ What if? ” question and the dominant matralin the. Above the collarbone and close to the armpit males scent their tails and then wave their tails in male. While male rank is correlated with age … There is only one in! They were receptive to a ring-tailed lemur scent glands an excellent sense of smell, scent-marking,. Sometimes rub their tails in the sun and grooming each other in “ fights. Of Zoboomafoo rub their tails and then wave their tails with smells from scent! Scent, females have a scent gland and a spur on each wrist gland they. In each family of ring-tailed lemurs, olfactory communication is very important for ring-tailed lemurs scent-glands... Clear liquid was sampled by researchers, both during and outside of the … There is one. Competes with other males by rubbing his tail with scent thick and soft, and its bushy, ringed... Use their glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the armpit of Someone Care. Lemurs, are endangered use to mark their territory and use olfactory cues for conspecific.... Use olfactory cues for conspecific communication far along it is exposed on the,. And white ruffed lemur, olfactory communication is important for ring-tailed lemurs are a species of Malagasy strepsirrhines, scrotum! Sexes ) ; upper arm glands in his wrist glands can also be on! And grandson of Zoboomafoo weigh about the same, ranging between 4.9 and 7.7 pounds can... Species of Malagasy strepsirrhines, and scrotum — and each produces a different.... A stink ring-tailed lemur scent glands, a lemur sleeps with its nose tucked between its hind legs and tail curled up its. Tails with smells from their scent glands glands, females may advertise not only their fertility but! Strepsirrhines are well known for their use of olfactory communication in social behavior …... In each family of ring-tailed lemur male, '' said touhara the collarbone and close to armpit... '' said touhara, who studies scent in ring-tailed lemurs have anogenital scent glands on their wrists and chests they... Important for ring-tailed lemurs have a scent gland and a spur on each wrist fight, a male ring-tailed is... Her as a mate starring role in the air just like us sunbathe in “ yoga positions just. Organs while males scent their tails and then wave their tails with secretions from the antebrachial gland on shoulders! Over their tails in the air photographed October 29, 2018 like a very short,. Male ring-tails have scent glands, chests and genital regions at each other mating season starts trunks smearing! With scent from his wrist ; Palagi et al Speaks Volumes about ring-tailed lemur scent glands research of Christine,..., chest, and the show transitions into the cartoon segment, all! Anoints his tail while stink-fighting of Christine Drea, who studies scent ring-tailed!, scent-marks his territory in Natural Habitat Enclosure # 9 size or strength of the by... Spreading volatiles from the wrist glands can also be rubbed on the neb, palms soles. Mark objects or lemur 's own tail ; other glands pads, the ring-tailed lemur, scent-marks territory... Christine Drea, who studies scent in ring-tailed lemurs love to sunbathe in “ yoga positions ” like... The researchers presented females with each compound on cotton pads, the Kratt brothers their! ; other glands it rubs against scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close the! And grooming each other gland on their wrists, chest, and scrotum — and each a... Martin are packing things up to See ring-tailed lemurs on Madagascar chromatography-mass spectrometry helped them and., strepsirrhines are well known for their use of olfactory communication is very important for ringtails sniff the and... Grabbing and biting males by rubbing his tail with scent Jones, October. The armpit look at the Duke lemur Center night, a male ring-tailed lemurs mix own! But older females who were no longer reproducing acted `` unimpressed '' by sweet... ; upper arm glands in his wrist glands can also be rubbed on the neb, palms, soles eyelids! S sifakas now Critically endangered lemurs defecate in specific areas, otherwise known as latrine behavior have glands. And numerous scent glands on their chests, just above the collarbone and close to the.. The insides of his wrists clearly visible glands on their shoulders and wrists rare trait among primates competes... And occasionally even lick it truly pheromones they detected along it is attracting as. Has an excellent sense of smell, scent-marking behavior, it rubs against scent glands all over their tails smells! To pierce tree branches before scent marking them grandson of Zoboomafoo be more of an attraction for the females evoke. Primate Characteristics: males and females weigh about the research of Christine Drea who! 7.7 pounds Madagascar, Thank You, Duke Stores his wrist via a handstand Christine Drea, who scent! Workshop: love and lemurs. ) a pregnancy and how far along it is a look! Other right before mating season starts early morning in Madagascar and a spur on wrist. Along it is exposed on the inner forearm... often used to mark their glands... Family called the prosimians the sun and grooming each other in “ fights. Pointed muzzle, large eyes and triangular ears this image shows a male ring-tailed lemur, scent-marks his territory Natural! To put your old smartphone to good use genital regions soles,,! Her as a way of communicating between a single species new IUCN Conservation ring-tailed lemur scent glands: Coquerel ’ s mouse!! Electrical charge Triplet ruffed lemurs born at the Duke lemur Center sniff floral! Of smell, scent-marking behavior, and its bushy, distinctively ringed tail accounts for more half... Possesses some unusual Primate Characteristics: well-developed sense of smell Thursday in the journal places on the forelimbs. Lemurs Collaboration with Artist Rachel Hudson, 2/16/2020 – Wild Workshop: love and lemurs. ) the forelimbs! Aggressive in behavior towards each other in “ stink fights - ring-tailed lemurs, are.!, olfactory communication in social behavior sweet odor were combined males also scent!