All About Indri Indri Lemurs

Family: Indriidae, Genus: Indri, Species: indri.

Indri indris are the largest living lemurs. They range from 5.8 to 8.8 kg (about 12 to 20 lbs) and live in socially monogamous groups of two to five. They are folivorous creatures, meaning their main source of food is leaves, but they also munch on the occasional fruit, flower, and sometimes even soil (yum). Indri indris are also the only lemurs with short, stubby tails that don’t aid their balance when they jump from tree to tree.

If the lemurs of Madagascar formed a band, Indri indris would be the vocalists. Though their call is hardly a lullaby. Click on the video below to hear their song!

The Sound of Indri Indri Lemurs

The females have higher pitched voices than the males. This is one way scientists distinguish gender among Indri indris.

The indris sing these songs both to claim their territories and boast their bonds with their respective mates. They have different calls to warn others of predators and to attract potential partners.

These singing lemurs are listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered with a decreasing population trend. I studied and observed these primates in the Maromizaha rainforest corridor; a protected strip that connects two larger forests.