Indri indri

The indri (Indri indri) is a species of strepsirrhine primate of the family Indriidae. It is the largest lemur that can be found. today in Madagascar, the island where these prosimians are endemic. Besides humans, it is the only mammal that has been found to have a sense of rhythm.

Etymology

The name indri comes from Malagasy and actually means 'Look there!', a phrase that the native guide said to Pierre Sonnerat, the French explorer who accompanied him, when this species was discovered. Erroneously taking the word as the name of the animal, today this primate is known throughout the world except in Madagascar, where people still call it babakoto, which means "grandfather" 3. 4;. The Malagasy believe that this primate with long legs, a characteristic voice and a short tail gave rise to the first humans in ancient times.

Description

It is the largest current lemur. The dimensions of adults are similar to those of a domestic cat, between 57 and 70 centimeters long and weighing 7 to 10 kilos. The tail is only a vestige and does not exceed 15 centimeters. They have long limbs and fingers (partially webbed, to ensure greater grip), with which they move easily on trees, and a coat of black and white hair. The face is similar to that of a dog.

Its dental formula is as follows: 2/1-2, 1/0-1, 2/2, 3/3 = 30.

Behavior

It is a primate with strictly diurnal habits that lives in the rainforests of the eastern part of the island, where it moves from branch to branch in search of leaves, shoots and fruits on which it feeds. Indris form permanent pairs, which live with their young in an area of about 18 hectares. This territory is partly shared with other pairs of neighboring indris, but they maintain most of it as exclusive territory.

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It is monogamous and frequently mates for life. It reaches sexual maturity between 7 and 9 years of age. The female gives birth, after a gestation period that ranges between 120 and 150 days, a single offspring that It is carried ventrally for 4 months and then dorsally until it is 1 year old. The calf is capable of showing signs of independence at 8 months, although it does not become completely independent of its mother until 2 years of age.

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognized:

• Indri indri
• Indri indri variegatus

Conservation status

The forests in which the indri lives are disappearing quickly, victims of deforestation and fires caused by farmers, so the distribution of the indri decreases day after day. Like many other lemur species, it is critically endangered. It is included in the list of The 25 most endangered primates in the world.