Editing Philippine tarsier (section)

== Ecology ==
[[File:Bohol.tarsier jtlimphoto.JPG|thumb|Philippine tarsiers in [[Bohol]].]]
[[Image:Tarsius Syrichta-GG.jpg|thumb|Tarsier tree climbing]]
The Philippine tarsier is primarily [[Insectivore|insectivorous]], its diet consists of insects, spiders, small crustaceans, and small vertebrates such as small lizards and birds. ''C. syrichta'' preys on live insects, particularly [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s and [[grasshopper]]s. Upon seizing its prey, the tarsier carries it to its mouth using both hands.<ref name="adw"/>

=== Geographic range and habitat ===

The Philippine tarsier, as its name suggests, is endemic to the Philippine archipelago.<ref name= fieldmuseum/> ''C. syrichta'' populations are generally found in the southeastern part of the archipelago. Established populations are present primarily on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It has also been found on various isolated islands within its known range, such as Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

The Philippine tarsier's habitat is the second-growth, secondary forest, and primary forest from sea level to {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=fieldmuseum>{{cite web | author = Heaney | year = 2002 | title = Tarsius syrichta | url = http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Philippine_Mammals/Tarsius_syrichta.htm | work = The Field Museum | access-date = November 15, 2006 | display-authors = etal | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516084548/http://www.fieldmuseum.org/philippine_mammals/Tarsius_syrichta.htm | archive-date = May 16, 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Its habitat also includes [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|tropical rainforest]] with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection such as tall grasses, bushes, and [[bamboo]] shoots. It prefers dense, low-level vegetation in secondary forests, with perching sites averaging {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} above the ground.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Jachowski, D. S. | author2 = Pizzaras, C. | date = September 10, 2003 | title = Introducing an innovative semi-captive environment for the Philippine tarsier (''Tarsius syrichta'') | journal = Zoo Biology | volume = 24 | issue = 1 | pages = 101–109 | doi = 10.1002/zoo.20023 }}</ref>

Early studies showed that the Philippine tarsier has a home [[range (biology)|range]] of {{convert|1|to|2|ha}},<ref name="adw">{{cite web | author = Kubicek, C. | year = 1999 | url = http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Tarsius_syrichta.html | title = Tarsius syrichta | work = Animal Diversity Web | access-date = November 14, 2006}}</ref> but more recent research shows that home ranges averaged {{convert|6.45|ha|abbr=on}} for males and {{convert|2.45|ha|abbr=on}} for females <!-- (MCP and Kernel 95%) -->, allowing for a density of 16 male and 41 female tarsiers per {{convert|100|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Neri-Arboleda, I. | author2 = Stott, P. | author3 = Arboleda, N. P. | date = June 25, 2002 | title = Home ranges, spatial movements and habitat associations of the Philippine tarsier (''Tarsius syrichta'') in Corella, Bohol | journal = Journal of Zoology | volume = 257 | issue = 3 | pages = 387–402 | doi = 10.1017/S0952836902000997| doi-access = free }}</ref>

Both males and females are [[solitary animal|solitary]], but will occasionally cross paths at night. They travel up to {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} across the forest and the optimal area is more than {{convert|6|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref name="alien">{{cite web | url = http://www.offthefence.com/content/programme.php?ID=270&Categories=3 | title = Tarsier – the littlest alien | work = Off The Fence | access-date = November 18, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012061257/http://www.offthefence.com/content/programme.php?ID=270&Categories=3 | archive-date = October 12, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

=== Predators ===

Besides human hunters, [[feral cat]]s banished from nearby communities are the species' main predators, though some large birds are known to prey on it, as well.<ref name="feral">{{cite web|author=France-Presse, A. |year=2004 |url=http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_phe/2005/jan/19-01.htm |title=Furry mascot of RP forest lives on borrowed time |work=INQ7.net |access-date=November 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008202739/http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_phe/2005/jan/19-01.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Because of its nocturnal and arboreal habits, the Philippine tarsier is most likely to fall prey to owls, or to small carnivores which it can encounter in its canopy homes.