A life lived high in the forest canopy protects red ruffed lemurs from predation, by making them particularly difficult to catch. There is evidence of predation by raptors, however this probably does not occur at a particularly high rate. The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) could pose predation potential if an individual was found lower in the forest canopy. However, it is only released captive-bred ruffed lemurs that have been recorded to be preyed upon by fossa, most probably due to lack of experience with predators.
The nesting behavior of infants perhaps poses the biggest risk of predation in red ruffed lemurs, making their babies susceptible to carnivorous mammals, including the ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans) and brown-tailed mongoose (Salanoia concolor). However, anti-predation responses within this species have developed to safeguard against this risk (Macedonia, 1993). Red ruffed lemurs are known to confront or attack predators (Macedonia, 1993). This is seen as an effect of producing underdeveloped young (Macedonia, 1993). As the young are unable to cling to their mothers, the mother (or father) is unable to flee predators without risking their reproductive success (Macedonia, 1993). Furthermore, this response may be seen as a function of the larger body size of this species as well (Macedonia, 1993).
The Red ruffed lemur (varecia rubra) 