Fact Sheet
A male red-bellied lemur dangles from a branch. Click image for larger version.
Order: Primates; Suborder: Prosimii;
Family: Lemuridae; Genus: Eulemur
Species: rubriventer
Related Species
There are several species in the genus Eulemur , including red-bellied lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer), crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus), the two subspecies of black lemur (Eulemur macaco), and the seven subspecies of brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus).
Key Facts
Adult Size : 4.4 - 5.3 pounds
Social life : Sociable, small family groups of 2 - 5 individuals
Habitat : moist forest - eastern lowland rainforest -- middle to high altitudes
Diet : fruit, flowers and leaves of 67 different plant species
Lifespan : 20 - 25 years in the wild
Sexual maturity : 2 years
Mating : Extremely seasonal, May - June
Gestation : Approximately 120 days, young are born in September - October
Number of young : one per year
DLC Naming theme : American Indian tribes (Mohawk, Iroquois, Eno, etc.)
Malagasy names : Tongona, Soamiera, Barimaso
Interesting Facts
- Red-bellied lemurs are sometimes active at night.
- Only red-bellied males are reddish-brown all over, females have white bellies.
- Male red-bellied lemurs have scent glands on top of their heads.
- Male red-bellied lemurs carry their offspring almost as much as the females do!
- There is some research to suggest that red-bellied lemurs may form pair bonds.