Indri brevicaudatus E. Geoffroy and G. Cuvier, 1796
Indri niger Lacépède, 1799
Indris ater I. Geoffroy, 1825
Lichanotus mitratus Peters, 1871
Indris variegatus Gray, 1872
The indri (/ˈɪndri/ⓘ; Indri indri), also called the babakoto,[8] is one of the largest living lemurs, with a head-body length of about 64–72 cm (25–28+1⁄2 in) and a weight of between 6 and 9.5 kg (13 and 21 lb). It has a black and white coat and maintains an upright posture when climbing or clinging. It is monogamous and lives in small family groups, moving through the canopy, and is herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves but also seeds, fruits, and flowers. The groups are quite vocal, communicating with other groups by singing, roaring and other vocalisations. Besides humans, it is the only mammal found that can use rhythm.[9]
It is a diurnal tree-dweller related to the sifakas and, like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar. It is revered by the Malagasy people and plays an important part in their myths and legends with various stories in existence accounting for its origin. The main threats faced by the indri are habitat destruction and fragmentation due to slash and burn agriculture, fuelwood gathering, and logging. It is also hunted despite taboos against this. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "critically endangered".
^Powzyk, J.; Thalmann, U. (2003). "Indri indri, Indri". In Goodman, M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.). The Natural History of Madagascar. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. pp. 1342–1345. ISBN9780226303062.