This family of 5 genera and 12 species is confined to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Several genera that once were usually placed in this family are now considered to belong to the families Cheirogaleidae and Megaladapidae.
Lemurs have long, heavily furred tails and slender bodies and limbs.
The hind limbs are longer than the forelimbs. The pelage is usually soft, thick, woolly, and solid-colored, but sometimes there are color patterns. The face is elongated and foxlike in Lemur, Eulemur, Petterus, and Varecia but shortened in Hapalemur. The ears, which are at least partially haired, are short or of only moderate length. A clawlike nail is present on the second toe of the hind foot of some forms, and the naked areas of the palms and soles are generally marked by large, ridged pads.