Ring-tailed lemurs are strictly diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. Due to this lifestyle, they also sunbathe; the lemurs can be observed sitting upright on their tails, exposing their soft, white belly fur towards the sun. They will often also have their palms open and eyes gently closed. The ring-tailed lemur is a relatively large lemur. Its average weight is 2.2 kg. Its head-body length ranges between 39 and 46 cm, its tail length is 56-63 cm, and its total length is 95-110 cm. The ring-tailed lemur's tail is ringed in alternating black and white transverse bands (12-13 white rings and 13-14 black rings) and always ending in a black tip.