The name "Black Lemur" is somewhat confusing, because only the males of the species are pure black, the females having brown-red fur and a white ruff. They are both nocturnal and diurnal, managing this by resting at regular intervals over a 24 hour period.

The closest relative to the Black Lemur is the Brown lemur, but there is one subspecies, Sclater's Lemur (E. m. flavirons). This is a delightful little creature with bright blue eyes. Unfortunately, it may be extinct in the wild, but thankfully some remain in captivity, such as at the Duke University Primate Center.

Like their ringtailed relatives, Black Lemurs also live in troops, spending their time foraging high in the treetops on the flowerbuds of the Kapok trees and other such delicacies.