Spectral tarsier

Sulawesi Tarsier ( Tarsius tarsier )

The Sulawesi Tarsier ( Tarsius tarsier, Tarsius spectrum earlier ) is a primate of the group of tarsiers.

Features

Sulawesi tarsier Tarsiers are very small primates like all, they reach a body length 10-11 centimeters. The tail is 20 to 26 centimeters considerably longer than the body, he is hairless except for the bushy top. The weight is 100 to 130 grams, the males are slightly heavier than the females. The short, silky fur is gray or yellowish gray. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, the tarsi are greatly extended. The roundish head sitting in a short, very flexible neck, the eyes are greatly enlarged as with all tarsiers. The hairless ears are also very large and very mobile, the teeth are pointed.

Distribution and habitat

Sulawesi tarsiers are endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, they inhabit the entire island, with the exception of the eastern peninsula and also come on some outlying islands before. Habitat of these animals are forests, where they also live in primary and secondary rain forests, such as in mangrove forests.

Lifestyle and diet

These animals are nocturnal and daytime sleep among the lush vegetation. At night, they go in search of food, where they move vertically climbing and jumping. You can - with loss of height - jump over 5 meters wide, while the tail acts as a rudder. Most of them will stay in the lower regions of the trees, rarely come to over 2 meters in height.

They live in small groups of two to six animals, the groups consist of a presumably monogamous pair and the common offspring. Each group occupied a fixed territory, these areas are 1-4 acres in size. The members of a group to sleep in the same place, but it does not have physical contact. With few, put forward in duet songs other animals are made aware of their own territory.

These animals are like all tarsiers pure carnivores, they feed primarily on insects. In addition, they also eat scorpions, spiders and small vertebrates such as lizards, birds and bats.

Reproduction

The pairing can take place throughout the year. After about six months of gestation, the female gives birth to a single young is born. This is developed very heavy and very far at birth. Even with four weeks, it starts to independently hunt for prey, after about 80 days it is weaned.

Endangering

Main threats to the Sulawesi Tarsier are the destruction of their habitat, persecution by feral animals such as cats and the hunting by humans in order to turn them into pets. Due to their relatively large distribution area and its adaptability they are less threatened than other tarsiers of Sulawesi. You IUCN lists them as 'vulnerable' ( vulnerable ).

System

On Sulawesi and the islands seven tarsier species are now known. In addition to the Sulawesi Tarsier these are still the Diana Tarsier, the Peleng Tarsier, the Zwergkoboldmaki, the Sangihe tarsier, the tarsier Lariang and Siau tarsier. Whether all populations that are currently grouped together as Sulawesi Tarsier, actually are a common type, is controversial. The populations of the northern peninsula and the offshore islands Selayar it might be to own, previously undescribed species.