Superficially, sportive lemurs appear very unlike Megaladapis . They are small to medium sized, weighing 500 - 900 gms. Most are brown or gray dorsally and whitish ventrally. The have relatively short, pointed heads with large rounded ears. Unlike Megaladapis , their feet are only slightly elongated.
Sportive lemurs feed mostly on leaves, also including some flowers, fruit, and bark in their diets.
They are basically solitary in their habits, but their densities can be surprisingly high. Males have larger territories than females, and the territory of a male overlaps that of several females. Members of the same sex defend territories against one another, using vocalizations, chases, and even fighting to drive trespassers out. Despite their densities in some areas, sportive lemurs are endangered. The primary threats to sportive lemurs come from habitat loss and hunting.