Indri

The indri, Indri indri, also called the babakoto, is one of the largest living lemurs, with a head-body length of about 64 to 72 cm and a weight of 6 to 9.5 kg. It lives in the lowland and mountain rainforests along the eastern coast of Madagascar. Its coat is black with white patches, and unlike any other living lemur it has only a tiny tail.

The indri clings to tree trunks and leaps from one to another, holding its body upright. It is active in the daytime and eats mainly leaves, preferring young, tender ones, plus some seeds, fruit and flowers. It is revered by the Malagasy people, and many myths tell of its origin. The IUCN rates it Critically Endangered, mainly because of habitat loss from slash-and-burn farming, firewood gathering and logging, and because it is still hunted despite taboos.

Songs of the rainforest

Indri families sing loud, haunting songs that last from 45 seconds to more than 3 minutes. A song often begins with a roar from nearly everyone, then the adult pair leads long notes followed by wails that slide from high to low. Two or more animals often time the falling notes together, like a duet.

Neighbouring groups answer each other, which may mark territory and boundaries. A group sings almost every day, peaking between 7 and 11 in the morning. Before singing, the indri climb to the treetops, so the sound carries up to about 4 km.

Family life

Indris pair up for the long term and look for a new mate only after one dies. A group is usually the pair and their growing young. As in many lemurs, females are in charge: the dominant female often pushes males to lower branches and leads the group when it travels.

Females have a single baby every two to three years, usually born in May or June after 120 to 150 days of pregnancy. The baby is mostly or completely black, rides on the mother's belly at first, then moves to her back at four or five months, and is fully independent only after at least two years.

A name with stories

The word indri probably comes from the Malagasy name endrina. A popular story says it comes from indry, meaning there it is, but that is not correct. The French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat first described the animal.

The other name, babakoto, is usually translated as ancestor or father. Koto means little boy and baba means father, so it can also read as father of a little boy. Many legends about its origin have a father and son in them. Indris reach adulthood at 7 to 9 years old.

On the globe

Find it in the rainforest of Madagascar; the card points out its near-absent tail and upright posture.