lesser galago

Lesser bushbabies, or lesser galagos, are strepsirrhine primates of the genus ''Galago''. They are classified, along with the bushbabies (genus ''Euoticus'') and the rest of the galagos (genera ''Otolemur'', ''Galagoides'', ''Paragalago'', and ''Sciurocheirus''), in the family Galagidae. 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. David Attenborough, ''Life of Mammals'', Episode 8: Life in the Trees. BBC Warner, 2003.

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 typical hunt by speed rather than by stealth. Primitive bushbabies are thought to have been the ancestors of all lemurs.

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. Additionally, there is often notable variation in coloration and body size even within species and populations. 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.

Their neck is very flexible, so that the head can turn 180 degrees, 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Behavior

Galagos are tree dwelling primates and are capable of leaping significant distances, up to and sometimes greater than , using flattened disks on their feet and hands as a way of grasping branches. However they do walk on the ground sometimes, either bipedally or on all fours.

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. All these calls are part of three categories, defensive and aggressive, social contact, and annunciatory. They also have very highly developed hearing.

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. 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.

Breeding

Lesser bushbabies usually give birth during the rainy season. The offspring are usually twins. 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.

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. In some species, such as dwarf galagos (''Galago demidoff'' group), the day-sleeping nests may be shared by groups of females or occasionally by visiting males.

Taxonomy

* Genus ''Galago''
** ''G. senegalensis'' group
*** Somali bushbaby, ''G. gallarum''
*** Mohol bushbaby, ''G. moholi''
*** Senegal bushbaby, ''G. senegalensis''
** ''G. matschiei'' group
*** Dusky bushbaby, ''G. matschiei''

References

External links

*

Primate Info Net ''Galago'' Factsheet
*

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Galagidae
Galagos
Taxa described in 1796
Taxa named by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire