Indri

Indri
In Analamazaotra Special Reserve
CITES Appendix I (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Indriidae
Genus: Indri
É. Geoffroy, 1796
Species:
I. indri
Binomial name
Indri indri
(Gmelin, 1788)
Distribution of I. indri
Synonyms

Genus:

  • Indris Cuvier, 1800
  • Lichanotus Illiger, 1811
  • Indrium Rafinesque, 1815
  • Lichanotes Temminck, 1827
  • Pithelemur Lesson, 1840

Species:

  • Lemur indri Gmelin, 1788
  • 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, is one of the largest living lemurs, with a head-body length of about 64–72 cm (25–28+12 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.

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".

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