Whether you’re obsessed with the Zoboomafoo lemur or can’t get enough of King Julian from the Madagascar movie, you’ll fall in love with Wild Florida’s ring-tailed lemurs during your animal encounter. All our animal encounters are experiences you’ll never forget, and no two are the same... especially when we’re talking about an encounter with our lemurs.
Don’t let those big yellow eyes scare you off! Our conspiracy of lemurs are some of the sweetest critters you’ll meet at our Gator Park. So, if you're having trouble deciding which animal experience to adventure at this time, let us tell you why a lemur encounter at Wild Florida might be your top choice.
See One of The Most Endangered Species
Lemurs are an endangered species, so getting to see them up close and personal is truly a unique experience. Ring-tailed lemurs are predominantly only found on the island of Madagascar, just like in the movie! But they face a lot of threats from human intervention.
For example, deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture is contributing to their habitat loss. Lemurs are also hunted for food and trafficked as pets. In their native setting, the lemurs of Madagascar are known to raid crops and steal fruits from villages, which gets them into trouble with humans.
But in human care, these little guys thrive! Lemurs are very friendly towards people. This controlled environment not only keeps them safe from natural threats but provides a great opportunity to learn about such an amazing species. It’s not often you spend the day with one of the most endangered species on the planet, the ring-tailed lemur.
Chat with a Lemur
Ready to talk to a lemur? Because they sure are chatty! Our ring-tailed lemurs are some of our most vocal animals at Wild Florida’s Gator Park. These cute lemurs are noisy for several reasons.
First, it’s how they communicate with each other in signaling food, social hierarchy, or possible danger. Their noisy nature is also an environmental adaptation. Being loud in Madagascar's dense forests establishes territorial claims and coordination among groups. Because of that, lemurs are known to all chime in when one of them starts talking, too.
Not all animals are as chatty and outgoing as our lemurs, so you’ll always have someone to talk to during your lemur encounter.
Enjoy Playful Lemurs at Feeding Time
In your animal encounter, you’ll be interacting with ring-tailed lemurs during their favorite activity of the day: feeding time! As you hand-feed these little guys berries, you’ll see just how energetic and friendly lemurs really are.
Lemurs are naturally agile having to leap from branch to branch and rarely spend time on the ground. These highly social primates are constantly playing, grooming, and communicating, requiring a ton of energy to maintain those social bonds. Although typically most active at night due to their nocturnal nature, our energetic lemurs seem to always be awake and ready to play at all hours of the day.
Don’t be surprised if these playful primates come right up to you excited for food. The lemur encounter promises a fun and exciting opportunity to interact with these lively animals.
See How Smart Lemurs Are
Believe it or not, these noisy, tiny primates are super smart! Their crafty nature allows them to sneak into villages and steal food, often working in groups. But their cleverness has led to a horrible reputation among locals. Lemurs are considered an evil omen and symbol of death to the people of Madagascar. But the lemurs at Wild Florida are far from evil, with their goofy eyes and playful attitude.
Lemurs can also learn patterns and tasks that are often too complex for monkeys and apes. They can be trained to use all kinds of tools and have a great memory. They might just remember you the next time you stop by Wild Florida!
Hold Hands With A Lemur
At Wild Florida, our lemurs love to hold hands! These curious creatures have opposable thumbs, making them expert climbers. But their opposable thumbs also make ring-tailed lemurs the perfect hand-holding partner.
Not only is this a great photo opportunity, but it makes for a heartwarming experience with the gentle side of wildlife. Visit Wild Florida’s Gator Park and make a new friend during this enchanting animal experience!
Wild Florida offers a truly immersive lemur encounter that goes beyond just watching these fascinating creatures behind a wall. So, after zipping through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades in an airboat tour, come spend the day with our furry friends— the lemurs!
