Reproduction
Twin infant lesser bushbabies in a small container for their weekly weighing. Click image for larger version.
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.