Indri

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The Indri (Indri indri), also called the Entrina, is a large (up to 70 cm long, and weighing up to 13 kg) tree-dwelling relative of the lemur and, like all lemuroids, it is native to Madagascar. It has only a rudimentary tail, and large eyes. The long silky coat, except on the bare black face and snout, is particolored. Gestation is 5 months, with the single young usually born in May or June. The Fossa and birds of prey are the Indri's main predators.

The word "indri" is Malagasy for "Look!". French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat heard a Malagasy point at the animal and took the word to be the animal's name. The Malagasy name for the animal is Babakoto. The name Babakoto comes from a Malagasy legend about the origin of the Indri. In the legend a man named Koto goes hunting in the forest and does not return. His absence worries his son, who goes out looking for him. When the son also disappears, the rest of the villagers venture into the forest seeking the two and discover two large lemurs sitting in the trees, the first Indris. For this reason it is supposed to be "fady" - bad luck - to hunt this species of lemur. The root of the legend likely comes from the Indri's appearance and behavior. Indris are the largest of the surviving lemurs and have a very short tail, lending them a somewhat humanlike appearance. Their territorial howls also sound somewhat like wailing.

Subspecies

• Indri indri indri
• Indri indri variegatus

External links

• ARKive - [images and movies of the indri (Indri indri)]
• [ITIS Indri indri]
• [Primate Info Net Indri Factsheets]

References

• Ganzhorn et al (2000). [Indri indri]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A1c+2c v2.3)

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