AVAHI (av'a-hi), a Malagasy lemur (Avahis laniger) allied to the indri (q.v.), characterized by its woolly coat, and measur ing about 28 in. in length, of which rather more than half is tail. The avahi is nocturnal, and is met with alone or in pairs. Very slow in its movements, it rarely descends to the ground, but, when it does, walks upright. It is found throughout the forests on the east coast of Madagascar, and also in a limited district on the northwest coast, the specimens from the latter locality being of smaller size and different colour. The eastern phase is generally rusty red above, with the inner sides of the limbs white ; while the predominant hue in the western form is usually yellowish brown. See PRIMATES.