"Weasel lemur" is an older common name, dating to the 1863 publication of Cassell's Popular National History.

Dunkel et al. speculated that was inspired by the species name L. mustelinus, which means "weasel-like" in Latin.

Their fur is grey brown or reddish colored on the top and whitish yellow underneath.

Sportive lemurs are strictly nocturnal and predominantly arboreal, moving among the trees with long jumps powered by their strong hind legs.

Birthing happens between September and December after a gestation of 120 to 150 days, and is usually of a single young which is often reared in a nest in a tree hollow.