indrias

Indris is a genus of extinct lemurs that lived in Madagascar during the Pleistocene epoch. They are known from fossil remains found in various cave sites across the island. Indris were among the largest primates to have ever lived, with estimates suggesting they could have reached weights of up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds). This makes them significantly larger than the extant indri (Indri indri), the largest living lemur species.

The fossil evidence indicates that indris possessed robust skeletal structures, consistent with a large body mass. Their diet is believed to have consisted primarily of plants, similar to modern lemurs. The extinction of indris is thought to be linked to the arrival of humans in Madagascar, which led to habitat loss and possibly direct hunting. Their disappearance highlights the vulnerability of large-bodied fauna to human-induced environmental changes. Despite their extinction, the discovery of indri fossils has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary history of lemurs and the megafauna that once inhabited Madagascar. Studying these fossils helps scientists understand the ecological dynamics of past ecosystems and the factors that contribute to species extinction.