Unlike the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) who is considered to be a harbring of evil, many locals consider the indri (Indri indri), or “babakoto,” to be sacred.
It is the largest living lemur measuring up to three feet in length with a weight of 20 pounds. With large greenish eyes, vestigial tail, and the ability to jump great distances between trees with its powerful legs, the indri is one of the most recognizable lemurs.
Interestingly, the indri has never successfully been held in captivity for more than a few weeks. It simply cannot stand the idea of being cooped up and not in the trees, where they prefer to spend most of their time.
JUST THE FACTS
Avahi, Sifakas and Indri
Genus: Avahi, Propithecus, Indri
Taxonomy: 11 species, 3 subspecies
Distribution: Madagascar
Size: Head and body length: 25-70cm Weight: 0.7-8kg
Appearance: Short bare snouts, small to large sized, powerful long legs, webbed toes, enlarged salivary glands, large stomachs, varied color among species, short dense fur, Indri does not have a tail
Habitat: Seasonal dry forest, rain forest, deciduous dry forest, gallery forest, evergreen forest, spiny desert, humid montane forest
Diet: Leaves, fruit, seeds, buds, flowers, bark
Locomotion: Vertical clinging and leaping, some suspensory
Behavior: Both diurnal and nocturnal species, striking vocalizations, variable social structure