Looking a bit like Gizmo the Gremlin, Bush babies are probably one of the cutest and bounciest creatures out there. With large droopy eyes this little furry fellow likes cuddling up with its buddies during the day after a long night leaping between the trees and catching insects.
Bush babies are Primates (like humans and monkeys) and part of the Lorisidae family. There are over 15 species, with more still being discovered. Well known species include the Greater Bushbaby, Lesser Bushbabies and Needle-Clawed Bushbabies. Named due to its large eyes and a baby-like cry, they are also called Galagos meaning Little Night Monkeys in Afrikaans.
Bush babies are quite small, ranging from the size of a mouse for the smallest species up to the size of a cat. Their tail is very long – longer than the rest of their body – and is used for balance. Unlike other primates their face is covered in hair. They have large eyes adapted for night vision, but can’t really move them, so they are able to turn their heads by 180 degrees instead – a bit like an owl; no point in sneaking up from behind! They have large ears which are very sensitive; they can even detect a gliding owl. One of their most amazing skills is in jumping. With twice the proportion of muscle in their long back legs compared to humans, the little bouncers can jump over 5 meters, and up to 2 meters high! You try doing that. Bush babies like to keep clean, so they have a special grooming toe on their back feet, and also a sharp pointy part to their tongue so they can clean between their teeth – like a built in tooth pick! Bush babies have a decent lifespan for such a small animal, living for around 10 years.
Usually living in the trees, they are common in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are active at night and hide during the day to avoid predators such as eagles and snakes. However, living in trees, fire is probably their biggest threat, so they often pick a tree with lots of lush grass around it – clever bunch. Bush babies are generally omnivorous, although insects such as grasshoppers make up most of their diet. Amazingly they can just pluck them out of the air using their front feet! Bush babies also eat tree gum, fruit, eggs, birds, lizards, leaves and flowers and Big Macs. Except the last one.
Females have a 4 month gestation period before giving birth to up to 3 altricial young. She generally leaves the young in the nest while foraging, but will carry them in her mouth if she needs to. Young bush babies start to walk and jump about after 2 weeks, but remain dependant on their mother for up to 4 months. Young females will often remain with their mother as part of the group, but males will leave as soon as they are old enough.
Gregarious creatures, bush babies tend to form female groups, although they generally forage and feed on their own. They will however regroup to sleep together in a hollow or a nest up a tree, increasing protection from predators. Males tend to be solitary, with territories overlapping that of a female group, and they will mate with all the females. Bachelor males have been known to form groups as well however. They communicate a lot, with about 18 different known calls, including ones to warn of approaching predators. A fairly grim habit is displayed when they wish to mark their territory or trails. They cup their hands and urinate in them before wiping it on the soles of their feet!
African people refer to the bush babies in a couple of ways, with many tribes superstitious about them. They attribute the sounds they make to a mysterious giant snake with a feathered head which kills evil intruders by pecking a neat hole in their head! Bush babies do enjoy any wine left about, so in Tanzania people who have had too much to drink are referred to as ‘Kama Komba’ meaning ‘Like a little Bush baby’.
Bush babies are fairly easy to spot at night using a torch, however be careful not to point it at them for too long, as it messes up their night vision leaving them temporarily vulnerable to predators.
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