Indri Indri, Madagascr

Meet the Indri!  Madagascar’s largest living lemur and one of its most mysterious.  Unlike many of its cousins, the Indri doesn’t have a long tail.  In fact, it barely has a stub.

But what it lacks in tail, it makes up for with powerful legs and an incredible voice.  Indris are know for their haunting, song-like calls that echo through the rainforest.  These loud, eerie cries help family groups communicate and mark their territory.

Indris are built for arboreal life, living high up in the treetops of Madagascar’s eastern forests.  Their strong legs let them leap incredible distances of up to 33 ft (10m) between trees!  Thanks to their opposable big toes, they can grip branches tightly, even hanging upside down with their feet when needed.  Their keen sense of smell plays a big role in social life too, helping them detect scent markings and avoid run-ins with neighbouring groups.

They live in small, close-knit family units led by a matriarch and mate for life.  Spending their days foraging, Indris are strict leaf-eaters, feeding mostly on young, tender leaves and some fruit.  They’re most active in the early morning, looking for food, calling, and grooming one another.  With their upright posture and expressive faces, they almost look human when sitting quietly in the trees.