Species profile
About this species
The red-tailed sportive lemur is a small nocturnal primate endemic to Madagascar, found in the dry deciduous forests of the south-west. It has a grey-brown coat with a distinctive reddish-brown tail & large, forward-facing eyes adapted for night vision. Like other sportive lemurs, it spends much of the day resting in tree hollows or dense foliage, emerging at dusk to forage for leaves, flowers & fruit.
Dry deciduous forests & gallery forests of south-western Madagascar, particularly in areas such as the Kirindy Forest & Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Red-tailed sportive lemur with us in Madagascar.
These departures are part of our Africa programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
The best time to photograph this species is at dusk & during the first few hours of darkness when it is most active. The dry season between April & October offers clearer skies & more predictable wildlife sightings in its forest habitat.
Use a red-filtered torch or low-intensity light to locate & observe the lemur without disturbing it, then switch to a diffused flash for your shots. A fast lens with a wide aperture such as f/2.8 is essential for capturing sharp images in low-light conditions. Move slowly & quietly when approaching a resting individual during the day, as they tend to stay still when observed calmly, giving excellent portrait opportunities.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Red-tailed sportive lemur
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.