Reproduction
A female red-bellied lemur gives her infant a good grooming. Click image for larger version.
Red-bellied lemurs are seasonal breeders, with reproductive activity beginning in November and lasting through December in North America. Infants are generally born in North Carolina in March through April (September and October in Madagascar). Single infants are born following a 120-126 day gestation, occasionally twins may also occur, but this is rare. A typical adult pair provide their infant with outstanding care, and much of it is provided by the father, which is unusual for lemurs. During the first five weeks of life, the males might carry the infants as often as the females. After this time the females might reject the infants, but males will continue to carry them until they reach the age of 100 days.