Lesser Bushbaby
Bushbabies, or galagos, are small, nocturnal primates which range in size from cat-sized to mouse sized. They are found in the forests and woodlands of Africa south of the Sahara. In some of these areas (i.e. the range of the lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi)) nighttime winter temperatures can drop to as low as 22 Fahrenheit! In Africa, up to four species of bushbaby may occupy the same area of forest, feeding on a combination of insects, fruit and tree gum. Each species, however, utilizes a different layer of the forest or specializes on a particular food, so that they don't compete with each other or with the monkeys which make up the "day shift."
The animal's loud vocalizations, from which the term bushbaby is derived, have proven to be the means by which the many different species have been identified. Only a decade ago, less than half a dozen species of bushbaby were known, but currently 16 species are recognized, and some experts feel that there may be as many as 40.
Weighing around seven ounces, the lesser bushbaby's coat is gray with yellow-tinged underparts. Their fur is dense, wooly, longish, and slightly wavy. Their large ears are crossed by four transverse ridges and can be independently and simultaneously bent back and forth and wrinkled downward from the tips at will. This furling and unfurling of the ears is occurring constantly when the animals are investigating something, and produce a very lovable, quizzical expression in the animals.
Some bushbabies, including the lesser bushbaby, are vertical clingers and leapers, springing up to 15 feet in a single bound as they travel through the forest from vertical support to vertical support. Ground travel in this species is accomplished like the sifaka, by a series of kangaroo-like bipedal hops. Other species of bushbabies, such as the much larger thick-tailed bushbaby, although certainly capable of leaping, seem to prefer to run on all fours along the tops of branches.
Feeding
The lesser bushbaby is a nocturnal forager feeding on gum and animal prey, including butterflies, moths, and beetles. Fruit eating has not been reported in the wild, but in captivity lesser bushbabies will readily eat fruit and vegetables. As bushbabies forage, they remain alert and agile, making long leaps from branch to branch. Studies in the wild have indicated that the animals mostly make progress through their territory in this fashion, mainly by leaps and hops, and only move quadrupedally occasionally. In one study, on an average night, a lesser bushbaby was found to travel about 2.1 km, and to feed exclusively on acacia gums and insects, catching prey with rapid grabs of the hand.
Fact Sheet
Order: Primates; Suborder: Prosimii
Family: Galagonidae; Genus: Galago
Species: moholi
Related Species
There are several species of bushbaby all classified in the genera Galago, Galagoides and Otolemur, including the brown bushbaby (Otolemur garnetti), also found at the Duke Lemur Center.
Key Facts
Adult Size : 5 - 10 ounces
Natural Range : Central Southern Africa.
Social life : Nocturnal forager, lives in groups of 1 - 3 individuals
Habitat : Semiarid Acacia woodland, savanna, forest edge
Diet : Gum and animal prey, including butterflies, moths, and beetles.
Lifespan : 16 years
Sexual maturity : 9 - 12 months
Mating : Every 4 - 8 months
Gestation : 120 days
Number of young : 1 - 2 offspring every 4 - 8 months
DLC Naming theme : Trees (Crabapple, Chestnut, Marbleberry, etc.)
Interesting Facts
- Lesser bushbabies sleep in tree hollows.
- Lesser bushbabies are vertical clingers and leapers, similar to sifaka.
- Lesser bushbabies defend their territories by scent marking.
Reproduction
When lesser bushbaby females come into estrus, males will approach with a low clucking vocalization, and as they start to mount, they will emit a loud call which ends in a whistle. Most scent marking in the wild is done by males marking their territory by means of "urine washing" in which males will urinate into their cupped hand which is then vigorously rubbed on a branch to deposit the scent. In the wild, lesser bushbabies mate every four to eight months, with gestation lasting about 124 days. First time mothers generally give birth to a single offspring, and twins thereafter. Infants weigh about 10 grams at birth and are fully furred with eyes open at birth. Females 'park' their infants in constructed nests while they search for food, moving them away from danger by carrying them in their mouths. Infants are weaned at around 61 days of age, and become sexually mature at 9-12 months of age. Young males leave their mothers when they become mature, but females may stick around their mothers for longer periods.
Social Behavior
The lesser bushbaby lives in small family groups of two to seven individuals. These groups may consist of an adult pair with or without young, two adult females plus infants or an adult female with young. Such groups spend the day sleeping together at the same site, but split up at night to forage. Males may fight aggressively to defend a home range which overlaps the range of one to five females. Males will emit a territorial advertisement call, which might be answered by neighboring animals, resulting in back and forth calling for up to an hour. Other vocalizations consist of a clicking sound by which the young call their mothers, and a louder version of the same call which adults use in assembling at their sleeping site as well as a high pitched alarm call. Lesser bushbabies will spend most of the night foraging alone and usually reassemble in small groups at dawn before sleeping in a nest or similar retreat, such as a vine tangle or a hollowed-out tree. It appears as if males migrate from their natal group when they are about one year old, while females have a tendency to stay around longer. Dominant males are noticeably larger than submissive males and are much more active scent markers.
Habitat/Conservation
Population estimates in the wild of the lesser bushbaby are unknown. Its habitat is semi-arid Acacia woodland, savanna, and forest edge and extends across the belt of equatorial Africa.
The species is believed to be somewhat threatened by habitat loss throughout its range.
The Duke Lemur Center currently houses a colony of five lesser bushbabies, all of which were born in captivity.