However, the name became more generally used a year or two later following the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus) in 1987.

Lengths vary from 26 to 46 cm (10 to 18 in), with tails just as long or longer, and they weigh up to 2.5 kg (5.5 lb).

The Lac Alaotra gentle lemur or "bandro" (Hapalemur alaotrensis), which lives in the reed beds of Lac Alaotra, spends much of its time in water and can swim well, unlike other lemur species, which only venture to water to drink.

The lesser gentle lemurs live together in groups of three to five animals, which probably represent families composed of a male, one or two females, and their offspring.

These are weaned after about four months (if the food supply is ample) and are fully mature at two years of age.