It has a prominent muzzle, short facial hair and a long, bushy tail. It averages about 22 inches in length and weighs about 10 pounds. The tail is about 20 inches long. The dentition of all lemurs is similar to insectivores but better adapted to fruit eating. The lower canines lie beside the lower incisors which are slightly separated and slope forward to aid in peeling fruit.
Ruffed lemurs form pair bonds.
After a gestation of 99 to 103 days, the female gives birth, generally to twins or triplets. The red ruffed lemurs generally stay in small family groups, although some studies indicate they may form larger groups. The females, as in most lemur species, are dominant to the males. This dominance is exhibited primarily in approach-retreat interactions at feeding stations. Sexual maturity is reached at 20 months of age.