There are black rings around the eyes, and the muzzle is black. Ring-tailed lemurs are very gregarious animals, and it is interesting to note that in a group of lemurs the males must be in the majority to ensure a healthy social and reproductive environment. When a ring-tailed lemur eats juicy food it bites off pieces with the molars, so that the juice runs directly into the mouth and does not wet the fur. They are fastidiously clean and groom constantly, using grooming digits on the hind feet. These animals possess a hairless glandular region on the inside of each lower arm above the wrist.
Males have an additional gland on the upper arm which secretes a strong-smelling fluid.
Every foreign object in the lemur's territory or cage is marked with this glandular secretion. During sleep they curl up, burying their heads and arms between their legs, and wrapping the long tail around the body vertically. They can make soft purring sounds or piercing screams. The young are cared for by the mother, but all the troop members will play with and help care for the infant. In the wild most births occur in August and September.