The Indri (Indri indri), also called the babakoto, is the largest living lemur, with a head-and-body length of about 64–72 centimeters (25-28 1/2 inches) and a weight of between 6 and 9.5 kilograms (13 and 21 pounds). It has a black and white coat and maintains an upright posture when climbing or clinging. It is monogamous and lives in small family groups, moving through the canopy, and is herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves but also seeds, fruits, and flowers. The groups are quite vocal, communicating with other groups by singing, roaring, and other vocalizations. Besides humans, it is the only mammal found that can use rhythm.
It is a diurnal tree-dweller related to the sifakas and, like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar. It is revered by the Malagasy people and plays an important part in their myths and legends with various stories in existence accounting for its origin. The main threats faced by the indri are habitat destruction and fragmentation due to slash and burn agriculture, fuelwood gathering, and logging. It is also hunted despite taboos against this. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "critically endangered".
They are the only lemur to have a short, rudimentary tail. All other lemurs have tails at least half the length of their body. They also have characteristically long, muscular legs for vertical clinging and leaping.