Cameroon Galago

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Cameroon Galago
Systematics
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family : Galagos (Galagonidae)
Genre : Squirrel Galagos ( Sciurocheirus )
Type : Cameroon Galago
Scientific name
Sciurocheirus cameronensis
( Peters , 1876)

The Cameroon Galago ( Sciurocheirus cameronensis , syn .: Galago cameronensis ) is a primate species from the family of the Galagos (Galagonidae).

For several years it has been regarded as a species that is separate from Allen-Galago . Together with this and the Gabon-Galago it forms the genus of the Squirrel-Galagos ( Sciurocheirus ).

features

With a head body length of 15 to 24 centimeters, a tail length of around 23 centimeters and a weight of 200 to 300 grams, Cameroon Galagos are among the medium-sized representatives of the Galagos. The long tail is bushy, the hind legs are elongated. Their fur is dark brown on the upper side, the belly is light gray. The ears are large and hairless, the eyes are enlarged to adapt to the nocturnal way of life and surrounded by dark rings, the snout is pointed.

distribution and habitat

Cameroon Galagos are native to central Africa . Its distribution area includes the southeastern Nigeria (east of the Niger ) and the western Cameroon - here the Sanaga forms the southeast border. The habitat of this species are tropical forests, although they can occur in both primary and secondary 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 in search of food. They stay on low, vertical branches 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 live solitary, although sometimes several females share a roost with their young. The males are more aggressive towards other males and defend their territories, which can overlap with those of several females. The grazing areas are relatively large with up to 50 hectares.

The diet consists mainly of fruits and, to a lesser extent, insects. Once a year, the female usually gives birth to a single young after a gestation period of around 130 days.

threat

Although the Cameroon-Galagos have a relatively small range, they are not very picky about their habitat and are not hunted. The IUCN lists them as “not at risk” ( least concern ).

The species is no longer kept in Europe, former owners are Paris and London.

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 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ [1] ZTL 18.6.

Web links