Gabon-Galago

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Gabon-Galago
Systematics
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family : Galagos (Galagonidae)
Genre : Squirrel Galagos ( Sciurocheirus )
Type : Gabon-Galago
Scientific name
Sciurocheirus gabonensis
( Gray , 1863)

The Gabon Galago ( Sciurocheirus gabonensis , Syn .: Galago gabonensis ) is a primate species from the Galagos family (Galagonidae). It has only been considered a separate species from the Allen-Galago for a few years . Together with this and the Cameroon-Galago it forms the genus of the Squirrel-Galagos ( Sciurocheirus ).

features

Weighing between 200 and 300 grams, Gabon-Galagos are among the medium-sized representatives of their family. Their fur is colored brown on the upper side, the underside is light gray. The hind legs are long and strong, the tail is longer than the trunk and bushy. The head has a long, pointed muzzle, the eyes are enlarged, as are the hairless, mobile ears.

Distribution area (green) of the Gabon-Galagos

distribution and habitat

Gabon-Galagos inhabit central Africa , their range includes the southeast of Cameroon (southeast of the Sanaga ), Mbini (the mainland part of Equatorial Guinea ), Gabon and the north of the Republic of the Congo . Their habitat are tropical forests.

Way of life

Like all Galagos, these primates are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in tree hollows or leaf nests. At night they go looking for food and often come to the ground. As with all squirrel galagos, their mode of locomotion is frog-like jumps, whereby - which is untypical for primates - they land with their hands and not with their feet first. They are solitary and the males are very aggressive towards other males. They have very large ranges, males 30 to 60 hectares and females 8 to 10 hectares. Their diet consists of fruits and insects.

Danger

In parts of their range, they are affected by the destruction of their habitat, but not to a threatening extent. The IUCN lists the species as "not endangered" ( least concern ).

literature

  • Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et al. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
  • Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

Web links