Definition

Noun 1. A nocturnal lemur with thick grey-brown fur and a long tail: The "woolly indris" refers to a specific species of primate, Avahi laniger, native to Madagascar. It is characterized by its dense, wool-like fur, nocturnal habits, and long tail, distinguishing it from its diurnal and tailless relative, the indri.

Usage Notes

• The term "woolly indris" is a compound noun used specifically in zoology and wildlife contexts to identify this particular lemur species. It is always treated as a singular noun.
• While "indris" alone can refer to a different genus (), the modifier "woolly" specifies this distinct, smaller, nocturnal animal. It is also commonly known as the woolly lemur or avahi.

Examples

• The woolly indris is perfectly adapted for its nocturnal life in the Madagascan rainforest.
• Researchers observed a family of woolly indris moving silently through the canopy.
• Unlike the famous indri, the woolly indris has a long, bushy tail.

Advanced Usage

• The species name, , is used in formal scientific writing. "Laniger" is Latin for "wool-bearing," directly describing its fur.
• In conservation biology, the term appears in discussions about threatened species: "Protecting the habitat of the woolly indris is crucial for its survival."

Variants and Related Words

• Woolly lemur: The most common alternative name.
• Avahi: The genus name, often used informally to refer to these animals.
• Indri (): A related but diurnal, tailless, and much larger lemur species. It is critical not to confuse the two.
• Sifaka: Another genus of lemur () within the same family.

Synonyms

• Woolly lemur
• Avahi
• (scientific binomial)

Related Phrases

• Nocturnal primate: A descriptive phrase highlighting its key behavioral trait.
• Folivorous lemur: Describes its diet, which consists primarily of leaves.

Noun

1. nocturnal indris with thick grey-brown fur and a long tail