Male black lemurs have a dark brown to black coloration with black tufted ears and yellow-orange eyes, while females are tawny on the back and head; their underparts are golden-brown to rich-chestnut brown, with paler fur on the limbs, and the tail is a darker chestnut brown.
Black lemurs live in groups of between 2-15 individuals, with adult males and females in equal numbers, together with their dependant offspring. The activities and movements of the group are dictated by the dominant female, and group relationships are maintained by grunts, contact calls and grooming. Home ranges extend for five to six hectares and there is considerable overlap IN the ranges of neighbouring groups.
