Pottos

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Pottos
PottoCincyZoo.jpg

Pottos ( Perodicticus )

Systematics
without rank: Euarchonta
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family : Loris (Lorisidae)
Genre : Pottos
Scientific name
Perodicticus
Bennett , 1831

The Pottos ( Perodicticus ) are a primate genus consisting of three species from the family of the Loris (Lorisidae). The name probably comes from a Niger-Congo language in which pata means tailless monkey. In the 1990s, the False Potto was a closely related species whose systematic status is controversial.

features

Pottos reach a head body length of 30 to 40 centimeters, the tail is a 3 to 10 centimeter short stub. Their weight is 0.9 to 1.6 kilograms, making them one of the larger representatives of the Loris. The fur is dense and woolly, its color varies on the upper side from gray to red-brown, the underside is lighter. The index finger has receded and the thumb can be easily compared to the other three fingers. This gives you a firm grip around the branches. They have the cleaning claws typical of wet-nosed monkeys on the second toes of the hind legs . A characteristic feature of the Pottos are the greatly enlarged spinous processes of the posterior cervical and anterior vertebrae , which can be seen as distinct humps. In the past, these thorns were thought to be defensive weapons, but they are more likely to play a role in the interaction between the animals, in which pottos rub their necks together with their heads retracted.

distribution and habitat

Pottos are native to tropical Africa , their range extends in a strip from Guinea to the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and western Kenya . Their habitat is forests, whereby they prefer areas with dense undergrowth such as secondary forests and also occur in mountain forests up to 2600 meters above sea level.

Way of life and food

Pottos are nocturnal tree dwellers who sleep in the thick foliage during the day and never come to the ground. Their movements are slow and deliberate like those of all Loris, their grip on the branches is firm and can hardly be loosened by force. They usually stay in the trees at a height of 5 to 30 meters.

Pottos inhabit fixed territories from which same-sex conspecifics are vehemently driven, but territories of males and females can overlap. The females' territories are 6 to 9 hectares, those of the males 9 to 40 hectares. Pottos mark their territory with traces of urine on the branches.

In contrast to the other Loris, Pottos feed mainly on fruits, occasionally they also consume tree sap and insects.

Reproduction

After a gestation period of around 200 days, the female gives birth to young animals, rarely two. First they cling to the mother's belly, later to her back or are hidden in the leaves while foraging for food. After around four to five months, they are weaned and they are sexually mature at around one and a half years. In human care, they can live to be over 26 years old.

species

Until recently all pottos were assigned to one species, today three species are recognized, one of which is divided into three subspecies.

  • The potto ( Perodicticus potto ), which is widespread from Senegal to the Niger estuary.
  • The Cameroon potto ( Perodicticus edwardsi ), which occurs between the Niger estuary and the Congo.
  • The East Africa potto ( Perodicticus ibeanus ), which is common in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northwest Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and western Kenya.

Danger

Pottos are widespread and relatively adaptable, they can also live close to humans. In some areas, the destruction of their habitat and hunting pose threats; overall, according to the IUCN , the species is not endangered ( least concern ).

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Mittermeier, Rylands & Wilson (2013): pp. 227–228
  2. ^ Perodicticus in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System

Web links

Commons : Perodicticus  - collection of images, videos and audio files