They are large lemurs, with a tail of about 60-65 cm. The dominant coat color is dark brown, with the ventral region, tail, snout and legs black. In addition, they have a white spot on the neck and, sometimes, small lighter areas on the heels, snout and digits. Females are slightly larger than males.

It is a mainly diurnal species and lives in social groups of 2 to 16 individuals where the female is the central nucleus. They are quite territorial animals, aggressively defending their space against other groups of red-collared lemurs. Territorial marking is also carried out through urine. To communicate they use about 12 different vocalizations.

This lemur is threatened, considered at very high risk of extinction due to the loss of its habitat and hunting; as is the case with most of these Malagasy primates. Human settlements generate crop fields and grazing areas for livestock that destroy the natural habitat of the lemurs.