Which living lemur is the largest by body length?

The indri is the living lemur with the greatest body length. Indri indri, also called the babakoto, is one of Madagascar’s largest surviving lemurs, with a head-and-body length of roughly 64–72 centimetres.

Indris live in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, where they move through the canopy by vertical clinging and leaping. Their long, powerful hind legs propel them between trunks, while their very short, rudimentary tail sets them apart from most other lemurs. They eat mainly leaves, along with fruit, seeds, and flowers.

The indri is often described as the largest living lemur, although comparisons can depend on whether scientists mean body length, mass, or total length including the tail. The diademed sifaka is a close rival in body size and average weight, but the indri is the standard answer for greatest living lemur body length.

Its loud, haunting song is another famous feature. Family groups use these calls to advertise territory and maintain contact through dense forest. Habitat loss has made the species critically endangered, adding conservation importance to this unusual primate.