Lesser bushbaby

Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox Lesser bushbabies, or lesser galagos, are strepsirrhine primates of the genus Galago. They are classified, along with the other bushbaby and galago genera in the family Galagidae.<ref name=msw3 /> They are probably the most numerous primate in Africa, and can be found in every large forest on the continent, inhabiting forested areas, savannas, riverine bush and open woodlands.<ref name=LOM>David Attenborough, Life of Mammals, Episode 8: Life in the Trees. BBC Warner, 2003.</ref><ref name="nep-lesser">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

They mark their territory by urinating on their hands and leaving traces on the trees they climb across, and they follow these detectable paths through the trees night after night. Males will also urinate on females to mark them. They are related to lorises, and have similar behavior and anatomy. They are much faster, however, and typically hunt by speed rather than by stealth.<ref name=LOM/> Primitive bushbabies are thought to have been the ancestors of all lemurs.<ref name=LOM/>

Appearance

Lesser bushbabies are small, woolly primates with long tails and oversized, naked ears. Different species are sometimes indistinguishable even when compared side by side.<ref name="WNPRC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Additionally, there is often notable variation in coloration and body size even within species and populations.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Their coat varies across body regions as well as between species, typically ranging from black, brown, and grey to white, with many showing a greenish, reddish, and orangeish tint to the sides and limbs. Some species have a nasal strip while others have distinct dark rings around the eyes.<ref name="WNPRC"/>

Their neck is very flexible, so that the head can turn 180 degrees,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> which gives them a broad field of vision which is helpful in locating prey; they also have highly mobile ears that allow them to track insects as they hunt. Round flat pads on their fingertips, between their fingers, and on their palms at the base of their thumbs enable them to firmly grip the branches.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They also have pointed, keeled nails that give them stability as they cling to smooth tree surfaces and reach for insects into crevices, using their rough narrow tongue.<ref name="nep-lesser" />

Distribution and habitat

Lesser bushbabies are distributed through most of Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal east to Somalia and down to South Africa (excepting its southern extreme) and are present in almost every country in between. However, there are great differences in their extent and distribution by species. G. senegalensis is the most widespread species, extending from Senegal in the west across central Africa to eastern Africa. G. moholi has a broad distribution over much of southern Africa. G. gallarum has more restricted distributions in eastern Africa, and G. matschiei is restricted to Uganda.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Lesser bushbabies are found in a variety of habitats, such as woodland, bushland, savanna, montane forest, riverine habitats; favouring trees with little grass around them.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Diet

Bushbabies generally consume three types of food in various proportions and combinations: animal prey, fruit, and gum. Although their diet consists mainly on small invertebrates (mostly insects), some species also eat frogs and possibly other small animals.<ref name="WNPRC"/>

Behaviour

Galagos are tree dwelling primates and are capable of leaping significant distances, up to and sometimes greater than Template:Convert,<ref name=Butynski>Template:Cite journal</ref> using flattened disks on their feet and hands as a way of grasping branches.<ref name="Kruger"/> However they do walk on the ground sometimes, either bipedally or on all fours.<ref name="Kruger"/>

Galagos are nocturnal animals, foraging at night and sleeping in trees during the day. Adults are mainly solitary and maintain social contact mainly through vocal communication. There are up to 18 distinct calls, used mainly for territorial advertisement and long-distance spacing.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> All these calls are part of three categories, defensive and aggressive, social contact, and annunciatory. They also have very highly developed hearing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Bushbabies are solitary foragers, however they do meet up at night in groups. Some species, such as G. moholi, can be found sleeping in groups of 2 to 7 during the day.<ref name=moholi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These groups are typically composed of a female and several of her young. At night the groups separate to forage independently. Males are mostly aggressive to each other; dominant males are the only ones that defend territories and are often the largest and most aggressive.<ref name=moholi/>

Breeding

File:Bushbabies.JPG

Mohol bushbaby (Galago moholi)

Lesser bushbabies usually give birth during the rainy season. The offspring are usually twins.<ref name="Dixson2012">Template:Cite book</ref> After the birth there is usually a second period of heat. A female’s gestation period is between 111–142 days and will usually consist of the female mating with up to 6 different males.<ref name="Kruger">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ADW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lesser bushbaby mothers initially shelter their offspring in a nest or tree hollow, later on concealing the infants in foliage while they forage at night.<ref name="Dixson2012"/>

External links

• Template:Wikispecies-inline
• Primate Info Net Galago Factsheet
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