For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Lesser Bushbaby

Family Lorisidae (Primate)
These are by far the worst pictures I have ever posted but as they only come out at night to feed and I did not want the flash to hurt their eyes, these enhanced pictures are the best I can do in order to show them to you. It is a case of these or nothing. :)


Bushbabies are easily tamed and come readily to feeding platforms such as this.
 They are found even in town areas where they will nest in a hole of a tree or in the roof of a house.



They prefer eating insects but will also eat fruit and the gum of certain trees.
 There are two species of Bushbabies found here, this is the Lesser Bushbaby with a thin tail and the Greater or Thick-tailed Bushbaby found in our coastal regions.



They are the cutest little things with a body length in adults reaching only about 6 inches. People have tried to keep them as pests but are found to be not suitable because they sleep the whole day through so cannot be played with.

Like many primates, they pee on their feet and this in turn leaves their scent on trees as they jump around in order to mark their territory. Although they are mainly found in trees, they will come down to the ground where they hop instead of walk.