Zanzibar Galago

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zanzibar Galago
Systematics
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family : Galagos (Galagonidae)
Genre : Paragalago
Type : Zanzibar Galago
Scientific name
Paragalago zanzibaricus
( Matschie , 1893)

The Zanzibar galago or Zanzibar dwarf galago ( Paragalago zanzibaricus , Syn . : Galago zanzibaricus , Galagoides zanzibaricus ) is a species of primate from the family of the Galagos (Galagonidae). The Grant-Galago has been listed as a separate species since 2001, but the Udzungwa-Galago, which used to be a separate species, is now combined with the Sansibar-Galago.

features

Zanzibar Galagos, like all Galagos, are very small primates. They reach a head body length of 12 to 19 centimeters, a tail length of 17 to 27 centimeters and a weight of 100 to 200 grams. Their fur is colored reddish brown on the top and outside of the limbs, and the belly is light yellow. The hind legs are long and strong, the long tail is slightly bushy. The head has a long, pointed muzzle, the eyes are large and surrounded by conspicuous rings, the ears are also large, hairless and very mobile.

distribution and habitat

Zanzibar Galagos are located on the east coast of Africa . Their distribution area includes the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania . In Tanzania, they can also be found on the island of Zanzibar and inland, such as the Udzungwa Mountains . It is unclear whether the species is also found in southern Somalia and northern Mozambique . Their habitat are the tropical coastal forests, but also mountain forests up to 1100 meters above sea level.

Way of life

These primates are nocturnal tree dwellers who sleep in tree hollows or leaf nests during the day. At night they go in search of food, moving quickly on all fours or with short jumps in the branches. They are territorial animals, their territories cover 1.6 to 2.8 hectares. The territories of the males are clearly delimited from one another, but often overlap with that of one or more females. Often the male and the female, whose territories overlap, spend the day sleeping together, but each adult animal searches for food alone.

The diet of these animals consists of fruits, insects and tree sap, but the composition varies according to the season.

Twice a year the female gives birth to one or two young after a gestation period of around 120 days. These are weaned after four weeks and reach sexual maturity at 8 to 12 months.

Danger

The main danger for the Zanzibar Galagos is the destruction of their habitat. The populations are currently stable and the species is listed by the IUCN as “ least concern” . However, attention deserve living in Zanzibar population ( Paragalago zanzibaricus zanzibaricus ), go back their stocks and the IUCN as "critically endangered" ( endangered ) applies.

The species is no longer kept in Europe, the former owners are Duisburg, Cologne and Wrocław.

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 .

supporting documents

  1. ↑ [1] ZTL 18.6

Web links