The length of the body is from 13 to 21 cm, the length of the tail is from 20 to 30 cm. The weight is approximately from 200 to 300 g. The coat is thick and fluffy, on the back of a brown color, the belly is from white to light brown. The head is round, the eyes are very large, adapted to the nocturnal lifestyle. The hairless, independently mobile ears are also large. The tail is longer than the body and fluffy at the end. The hind limbs are strong, on the second finger there is claw for grooming.
Under the tongue, these animals have a special bulge that resembles a second tongue, along with the front teeth, this tongue is used in fur care.
Galago in African language means "monkeys". These primates are also called Senegal Bushbaby, which translates as "Baby Bush", this name was given to primates for their small size and child-like appearance.
Distribution and aboutSenegalese galagos lifestyle
The Senegalese Galago is widely distributed in Central Africa. Its distribution area extends from Senegal in the west to Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia in the east and south to Kenya and Tanzania. Its habitats are rather dry, wooded areas such as savannas, bush, and also mountain forests.
Galagos are quite tolerant of temperature changes; temperatures from -6 to +41 degrees are suitable for their life.
Galagos are nocturnal primates, with the help of their large eyes they are able to perfectly see in the darkness of the forest. If you wake up a galago during the day, they move slowly, but at night they become mobile.
During the day, they sleep in the thick of plants, in abandoned bird nests or in tree hollows. At night, they go in search of food, while they move by climbing vertically and jumping, while they can cover a distance of up to 5 m.
FoodSenegalese galagos
The diet of the galago is very varied, including small live prey (insects, small vertebrates and eggs), acacia gum, fruits, nectar and flowers. In dry periods, tree sap (gum) plays an important role. When hunting for insects, galagos rely on hearing (after all, you can hear long before you can see). They catch prey on the fly with their hands and, holding it with their toes, the animal can move further along the branches and hunt. In the zoo they are fed with a variety of fruits (apples, bananas, grapes, papaya, peaches, pears), vegetables (cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots), chicken, fresh eggs, yogurt, live insects.
reproductionSenegalese galagos
These primates are territorial animals. Males live in territories that partially occupy the sites of female social groups. Male galago protect their allotments from other males. To mark the territory, they moisten the soles and palms with urine, that is, their smell remains during movement. Due to this, the males do not collide with each other.
Females also defend the boundaries of the territory. Young males leave the family, and females remain with their mothers, forming kindred social groups in which they live with their cubs.
Reproduction in Senegalese galagos occurs 2 times a year - in November and February. In captivity, they can breed throughout the year. Females make nests from leaves, in which, after 125 days of pregnancy, 2 cubs appear, less often there can be three or one babies.
Newborn galagos are physically weak, their eyes are half-open. They cannot hold on to their mother's coat themselves, therefore, in the first days of life, the mother carries the babies in her teeth, while holding them by the scruff of the neck, sometimes leaving them in a hollow or in the forks of branches. At 2 weeks old, they already slowly move on their own, and during long journeys they ride on their mother's back, holding on to their fur. At 3 weeks, babies are able to move along the branches. At 17-20 days they begin to eat solid food.
Mothers continue to take care of the babies for 3.5 months, and by the age of 80 they stop breastfeeding them. Male galago do not care about offspring. Sexual maturity in Senegalese galagos occurs at 7-10 months.
Communication galago with relatives
In the repertoire of the Senegalese galagos, scientists identify about 20 different calls. The most characteristic of the species is a piercing single cry, which can be emitted by galagos for an hour. The cries of the male and female, published during courtship, are very reminiscent of children's crying, which is probably why the galago is called the "bush baby".
During communication, visual communication is very important for galago, for example, a gaze means that there is a threat. At the same time, the galago raises its eyebrows, the ears are directed back, and the skin on the face rises. A close look and a wide-open mouth can also tell about the threat, while the teeth are not visible, and the primate bounces a little on the spot.
There is also tactile communication: after a nose-to-nose greeting, grooming or play follows. During such a greeting, individuals approach each other and “kiss” with the tips of their faces.
Senegalese galago at home
If you are a lover of exotic animals, then the galago will delight you every day and amuse all family members with its presence. But you need to understand that buying such an animal means additional obligations and new worries.
Weigh all the pros and cons before purchasing, get as much information as possible from different sources in order to avoid possible troubles or problems in the future and know how to solve them.
1. Creating comfortable conditions for keeping galago in the house. If you do not have such an opportunity - refuse to buy. Galagos are mobile, they like to jump and climb a lot. In the wild, they constantly move between tree branches. Therefore, to keep the galago at home, it is better to install a spacious aviary.
Some owners of these primates allow their pets to roam freely around the house. In principle, you can also do without an aviary, but primates are very difficult to toilet train. In addition, they mark territory.
2. Galagos love warmth, so make sure that the room in which they are kept is warm, without drafts. In the cold season, it is necessary to install an additional heat source, such as an infrared lamp.
3. Galago belongs to nocturnal animals, but it is distinguished by increased caution and moves quietly, so you can not worry and sleep peacefully.
4. The diet of galago should include vegetables, fruits, twigs of fruit trees, lean meats and fish, boiled eggs. Galago should be fed twice a day, determine the time yourself, and the animal will adapt to the specified regimen. Although, of course, it is wiser to do this in the morning, before the galago that has walked up during the night goes to bed, and in the evening, when it wakes up hungry.
5. Galago quickly get used to home life, practically do not get sick. An exception is the development of periodontal disease.
6. Try to buy babies only from responsible breeders, pay attention to the condition of the parents, the diets that they and the babies are fed. Improper rearing, poor living conditions, oppressed parental organism will have a negative impact on the growing young. It is not uncommon for galagos to kill young on poor feed, which can later lead to fractures in adulthood, including vertebral fractures leading to immobility.
The Senegalese Galago is a primate belonging to the Galagidae family. Most likely, these are the most numerous primates in Africa, as they live in almost every forest on the continent.
Galago in African language means "monkeys". These primates are also called Senegal Bushbaby, which translates as "Baby Bush", this name was given to primates for their small size and child-like appearance.
Senegalese Galago live throughout Equatorial Africa, in addition, they are found in Zanzibar and the Fernando Po Islands. In nature, they live for about 3-4 years, and in captivity they can live up to 10 years.
Appearance of the Senegalese galagos
These primates have thick, wavy fur. The main color of the back is gray or silver-brown, the belly is lighter than the back. Under the tongue, these animals have a special bulge that resembles a second tongue, thanks to which, along with the front teeth, they are used in fur care.
In length, Senegalese galagos reach130 cm, and the length of the tail is 15-41 cm. The body weight of these primates ranges from 95 to 300 g.
Their eyes are large and extremely expressive. There are dark spots around the eyes, and a light stripe between them. The ears are large, without hair, they are able to move independently of each other.
The tail is very long and has a darkly colored tip. At the base of the tail, the hair is the same as on the body, but gradually lengthens towards the tip. The fingers of the galago are long, they end in flat nails.
Lifestyle of the Senegalese Galagos
Senegalese galagos live in tropical rainforests and bush south of the Sahara. They can live in fairly dry areas. Their habitats: forest areas, savannahs, coastal zones.
Galagos are quite tolerant of temperature changes; temperatures from -6 to +41 degrees are suitable for their life.
Galagos are nocturnal primates, with their large eyes they are able to see perfectly in the pitch darkness of the forest. If you wake up a galago during the day, they move slowly, but at night they become mobile and agile.
Males, as a rule, spend the night alone, and females sleep in a group with babies. Families consist of 7-9 individuals. Galagos communicate with each other using sounds and by marking their path with urine. At the end of the night, the galagos make special sounds that invite all family members to come together for sleep.
During the day, galago hide in the crowns of trees, in bird nests and hollows. This helps primates avoid predators throughout the day. But at night they can be attacked by owls, cats and large snakes.
How did the galagos adapt to life and survival?
Senegalese galagos have fatty flattenings on their fingers, so they can cling tightly to branches. Thanks to these adaptations, they are able to hide from a predator by jumping along the branches.
They are excellent jumpers and can jump up to 3-5 meters. On the ground, they hop on two legs like little kangaroos. Since there are many predators on the ground, the Senegalese galagos prefer to stay in the trees more.
These primates have incredibly sensitive hearing: even in impenetrable darkness, they can catch a flying insect. On the branches, they are held with their hind legs, and with their front paws they grab flying insects.
After that, they squat down and slowly eat the prey.
Communication galago with relatives
During communication, visual communication is very important, for example, a stare means that there is a threat. At the same time, the galago raises its eyebrows, the ears are directed back, and the skin on the face rises. A close look and a wide-open mouth can also tell about the threat, while the teeth are not visible, and the primate bounces a little on the spot.
There is also tactile communication: after a nose-to-nose greeting, grooming or play follows. During such a greeting, individuals approach each other and “kiss” with the tips of their faces.
Senegalese galagos are vocal primates, their repertoire has a large number of sounds - at least 18. Most of all they sing in the mornings and evenings. All sounds are divided into those that are used for social contact, show aggression or comfortable behavior.
Diet of Senegalese Galagos
Basically, these primates are insectivorous. A favorite delicacy of galago is grasshoppers and other insects, but they also eat small birds and their eggs. An important element of the diet is tree sap.
The composition of the diet can change at different times of the year, that is, its basis consists of the food that is most accessible at a given time period. For example, during the wet season, they mostly eat insects, and during the dry season, tree sap. During a shortage of insects, they almost completely switch to plants.
Behavior and reproduction of Senegalese galagos
These primates are territorial animals. Males live in territories that partially occupy the sites of female social groups. Male galago protect their allotments from other males. To mark the territory, they moisten the soles and palms with urine, that is, their smell remains during movement. Due to this, the males do not collide with each other.
Females also defend the boundaries of the territory. Young males leave the family, and females remain with their mothers, forming kindred social groups in which they live with their cubs.
Reproduction in Senegalese galagos occurs 2 times a year - in November and February. In captivity, they can breed throughout the year. Females make nests from leaves, in which, after 125 days of pregnancy, 2 cubs appear, less often there can be three or one babies.
Newborn galagos are physically weak, their eyes are half-open. They cannot hold on to their mother's coat themselves, therefore, in the first days of life, the mother carries the babies in her teeth, while holding them by the scruff of the neck, sometimes leaving them in a hollow or in the forks of branches. At 2 weeks old, they no longer allow their mother to take them by the scruff of the neck and move slowly on their own, and during long journeys they ride on her back, holding on to the wool. At 3 weeks they are able to move along the branches. At 17-20 days they begin to eat solid food.
Galagos are small, large-eyed primates found in sub-Saharan Africa. Mostly inhabitants of humid dense tropical forests, sometimes live in savannahs. According to the official classification, the galago belongs to the family of galago lemurs. Previously, they were assigned to the Lorian family (Loridae) at the rank of subfamily (Galagonidae). Indeed, these animals are very similar to lory lemurs and are evolutionarily close to them, however, the Galagians are more ancient, so it would be more correct to single them out as an independent family.
The body of the animals is elongated, its length, depending on the species, is from 11 to 35 cm, the length of the tail is 14–42 cm, and the weight is 60–1200 g. The head is rounded, the facial section is greatly shortened. The color of the soft thick fur varies from light gray to brown, the sides and limbs are lighter, with a yellowish tinge.
Huge saucer eyes see perfectly in the dark. Between the retina and the vascular layer of the eye there is crystallin, which reflects the light that has passed through the retina, increasing the light sensitivity of the eye. But unlike diurnal primates, galagos have poor color vision.
The ears are very large. Interestingly, the ears of the animal can move independently of each other, and also fold to avoid damage.
The hind limbs are longer than the forelimbs, the foot is greatly elongated. The fingers are provided with nails, with the exception of the second finger of each limb. A “cosmetic” claw grows on this finger, which is used by the animal to care for its coat.
Galagos have a structure of lower teeth characteristic of lower primates. The lower incisors and canines similar to them form a protruding tooth comb. This adaptation plays an important role in eating insects and gums. There is a cartilaginous brush on the underside of the tongue. Penetrating into the cracks of the tooth comb, it cleans out various small particles from there.
Galagos, like Lorias, have a bone in the penis, and spines directed backwards no more than 2 mm long protrude from the skin at its end. This contributes to prolonged mating and guarantees its success. In different species, the penis bone and spines differ, preventing interspecific interbreeding.
Varieties of galago
According to various literary sources, the family includes 11-20 various subspecies of these peculiar animals. Let's get to know the most interesting representatives closer.
Galago Senegalese
A typical representative of the Galagidae is the Senegal Galago (Galago senegalensis). It lives in dry wooded savannahs in Central Africa - from Senegal to Kenya. Body length 13–25 cm, weight about 60–200 g. The tail is longer than the body, densely covered with hair. The fingers at the ends have flattened pads covered with thickened skin. The color of the coat varies from gray to brown, the abdomen is somewhat lighter.
Long hind legs allow the Senegalese galagos to jump up to five meters.
The diet of the Senegalese galagos is very diverse: small animals, fruits, nectar, in the dry season - acacia gum.
Baby Senegalese Galagos at the Prague Zoo
graceful galago
The graceful galagos (Euoticus elegantulus) are found in Central and West Africa. The body length of the animal is 30 cm, the tail is 29 cm, and the weight is up to 300 grams.
The coat is reddish in color, the underside of the body and sides are ash-gray, the tail is gray with a white tip. The muzzle of the graceful galago is more massive than that of its relatives. The eyes are very large, golden in color. The diet is more than 70% gum acacia.
A distinctive feature of graceful galagos are elongated needle-like nails that help them stay on the bark of trees.
Galago Allen (Galago alleni) is found in Central and West Africa. Inhabits the lower tier of the rainforest.
The animal's body length is 20 cm, tail length is 25 cm, weight is up to 260 grams. The coat is smoky gray, very dense. The underside of the body is light grey.
The diet mainly consists of fruits and small animals.
Galago Demidoff (Galago demidoff) is distributed in West and Central Africa. It is found in tropical rainforests, among vines, in dense foliage, next to clearings.
This is the smallest of all Galagidae: the body length of the animal does not exceed 13 cm, and it weighs no more than 65 grams. The color of the coat varies from black-gray to red. Juveniles have darker fur. It feeds on small insects, fruits and gum.
Galago Demidova build complex spherical nests from leaves.
Thick-tailed Galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus) inhabits South Africa from Angola to Tanzania. Found in dry and gallery forests.
Body length 30.5 cm, tail - 42 cm, weight up to 1200 grams. Fur color is grey. This is the largest type. Unlike their relatives, thick-tailed galagos jump not so well.
In addition to fruits, gums, and insects, the diet includes birds, eggs, small reptiles, and mammals.
Light-coloured chick-claw
The light-coloured Galago (Euoticus pallidus) is found in the west of Cameroon, in southeastern Nigeria, on the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea).
Body length - about 20 cm, tail - about 30 cm, weight - about 300 grams. The coat on the back is yellow-gray, the belly is whitish.
How do galagos live in nature?
Unlike most, galagos are nocturnal. They live in trees, preferring the uppermost tier of the forest. During the day, the animals sleep in dense foliage, tree forks, in old bird nests or in nests built by themselves. These are very graceful, mobile animals and excellent jumpers. They move along the branches in jumps up to 3–5 m long. They jump on the ground on their hind legs, like jerboas, while keeping their body in an upright position. A long tail helps the animals to maintain balance when jumping.
diet
Animal protein is always present in the diet of all galagos. Invertebrates and small vertebrates become prey for animals. Galago finds insects by sound. Having caught the living creature with his hand, the animal can hold the insect in its leg and move further along the branch with it. Invertebrates are a highly nutritious food, and given the choice, most species prefer this type of food. However, it is not so easy for large species to catch insects, so they diversify their diet with various fruits, which are always in abundance. Some species even catch birds and reptiles from time to time.
The galago has two interesting feeding habits. First, they eat venomous invertebrates (such as venomous centipedes). Secondly, they eat the gum of trees and vines. In particular, the acicular-clawed galago specializes in this product (its diet consists of 75% of gum). Slightly behind it is the Senegal Galago, in the diet of which the gum is approximately 50%. Gum contains polysaccharides, and symbiotic bacteria in the caecum of the animal help galago to digest it.
Family relationships
Basically, galago live in polygamous communities. The dominant male's home range, which can be up to 4 ha, overlaps the home range of several adult females and their daughters. During the breeding season, adult males behave aggressively and defend their territories from invading competitors.
Galago prefers to feed alone, however, during night meals, animals often meet with neighbors. Usually, adults of the opposite sex are tolerant of each other, and sometimes even friendly - like good neighbors can comb each other's hair.
During the day, most male galagos sleep alone, while females with cubs rest in groups, the number of which can reach up to 10 individuals. In only a few species, females and males come together for daytime sleep. The resting place is usually some kind of plexus of branches, some species rest in nests of leaves.
In some species of galago, the mating season can occur at any time of the year, while others breed 2 times a year. Usually the birth of young animals in the southern regions occurs in September-October and January-February; in the north - in March and July. The Senegalese Galago, for example, breeds 2 times a year, twins are often born, and the fat-tailed Galago often has triplets. And at Demidov's Galago, as a rule, one cub is born, and only once a year.
Galago pregnancy is long - in different species from 111 to 123 days. For the birth and rearing of the young, the female builds a nest from leaves and branches. The mother feeds the cubs with milk from 50 days to six months. After reaching puberty, sons leave the mother's plot, grown-up daughters can remain on the mother's plot.
Galago communicate with each other using various postures, smells and sounds. The galago on the body has many areas with skin glandular cells, which in different species can be located in different places. The secretions of these glands, together with odor tags, are used in the odor communication system. In addition, galagos are quite "talkative". Each species has its own sound signals, including more than 10 different calls. The vocal repertoire plays an important role in attracting sexual partners and scaring away rivals. With the help of screams, animals can also notify neighbors of danger. Signals can vary in frequency and rhythm, reflecting the mood of the animal.
Galagos are considered long-lived among mammals of such a small size. The lifespan of Allen's galagos can reach 12 years, the Senegalese galagos up to 14 years, and the graceful galagos up to 15 years.
All galagos frequently urinate on their palms and feet. There are various explanations for this behavior: either it is due to thermoregulation or scent marking of the territory, but most likely, this procedure allows you to moisten the skin of the paws in order to better stay on the branches.
Enemies
The main enemies of the galago in nature are owls and civets, and the Senegalese galago also suffers from chimpanzees. These animals are very nimble, so it is rather difficult to catch one of them alive, and chimpanzees have adapted to get galago when they are inactive and hide in the hollows of thick tree branches. For this purpose, resourceful animals use pointed sticks. In addition, people capture them for sale as exotic animals, and also hunt them for their beautiful fur and edible meat.
Currently, species such as the Senegalese and fat-tailed Galago are quite widespread and are not at risk of extinction. The most vulnerable are the Zanzibar, northern and southern echino-clawed galagos, Allen's galagos, as well as the recently discovered species - Grant's galagos. The inhabitants of the tropical forests suffer most of all, the areas of which are rapidly declining. First of all, these include several rare species found in the forests of East Africa (Garnett's galagos, Zanzibar galagos). Their protection is difficult due to poor knowledge.
In contact with
Distributed from the eastern part of South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal province) northward through Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and southern Malawi to Tanzania and southern Kenya. In the east, the range reaches Zambia and Angola.
This is the largest representative of the Galagidae, its body length from head to tail base is 30-37 cm, tail - 42-47 cm, body weight - 1000-1250 g.
These are nocturnal animals, during the day they sleep in nests at a height of 5-12 m above the ground. Active 9.5 hours in summer and 12 hours in winter. Under ideal conditions, the population may be 72-125 individuals per km2. Thick-tailed galagos live in polygamous communities. The animals have individual plots: the territory of the female occupies about 5 hectares, the male - up to 10 hectares. Individual areas of several individuals may overlap. Typically, the ranges of adult males are large and overlap those of several mature females and their daughters. Adult dominant males tolerate the presence of juvenile males in their territories. During the breeding season, the boundaries between individual territories may be blurred. Females often form groups, and males always lead a solitary lifestyle. Usually, adult lemurs sleep together during the day, and disperse at night in search of food. They are mobile and jumping, able to cover a distance of 2 m in a jump. They cover a distance of 1 km per night. The diet is dominated by gums (62%) and fruits, as well as insects, the proportion of the latter varies depending on the habitat. A seasonal delicacy is the large termite Macrotermes falcigar. During the passage of termites, lemurs eat them directly from the ground without the help of their front paws.
The breeding season for fat-tailed galagos is October-November. Pregnancy lasts 126-135 days. Cubs are born every 1-2 years, sometimes one in a litter, but more often 2-3 cubs. Newborn cubs first remain in the nesting cavity, and the female, if necessary, transfers them from place to place in the mouth. After 7-10 days, they can move around a little on their own or sitting on their mother's back. This position persists for two months of their life. Lactation lasts from 70 to 140 days. The male does not take part in the upbringing of offspring. Sexual maturity in young galagos occurs at 1.5-2 years. In captivity, fat-tailed galagos live up to 20-22 years.
Silver galago
Silvery Greater Galago
(Otolemur monteiri)
Inhabits the forests of Central Africa from Angola east to Tanzania, Rwanda and Western Kenya.
Galago Garnett
Garnett's Greater Galago
(Otolemur garnetii)
Distributed in East Africa, its range extends from southern Somalia through Kenya to Tanzania, including also nearby islands such as Zanzibar. The living space of these animals is humid tropical, coastal, mountain and tugai forests.
The length from the head to the base of the tail is 23-33 cm, the tail is about 36 cm long, and the weight is from 0.7 to 0.8 kg. The color of the coat varies from red-brown to brown, the lower part of the body is colored lighter. The fur is thick, the tail is very fluffy and longer than the body. The eyes, like all Galagians, are enlarged and adapted to a nocturnal lifestyle, the ears are also large, but smaller than those of the thick-tailed Galagos.
These primates are active at night, during the day they sleep in nests made of leaves. At night, they go in search of food, while they stay mainly in the trees, rarely descending to the ground. They move on all fours and rarely jump.
These are territorial animals, their areas do not overlap with areas of animals of the same sex and the same age. However, there are intersections between male and female or younger and older animals. The plot area is approximately from 12 to 18 hectares. The food consists primarily of fruits, along with this, they also feed on insects and tree sap.
After about 130 days of gestation, the female gives birth to more than one cub. After 4-5 weeks, the cub takes solid food. Sexual maturity occurs at about 20 months of age. In captivity, the life expectancy of animals can be more than 18 years.
Southern Echo-clawed Galago
Southern Needle-clawed Bushbaby
(Euoticus elegantulus)
It is found in tropical rainforests and subtropical forests in Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Central African Republic.
The mass of an adult animal is 270-360 g. The upper and lower limbs are long, adapted for jumping. The nails are claw-like, the second toe has a special shape and is intended for hygienic purposes (cleaning the ears and teeth). The teeth of the lower jaw form a comb, which is convenient for grooming. The color of the coat is dark gray or reddish brown on the back and gray on the inside. The lateral parts of the limbs are painted in a light tone, the tail is woolly.
It feeds mainly on gums (75% of the diet), which it collects from trees of the species Entada gigas, Albizia gummifera, and Pentacletra eetveldeana. To do this, they can descend from the upper tier to a height of 3-4 m. It makes regular night routes, which it lays among forage trees. With its sharp claws, the galago damages the surface of the bark so that the gum flows out. In the dry season, the importance of gummi for the nutrition of galagos increases. The diet is supplemented with insects (grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, ants), which the galago finds under the bark of trees, among branches and in deciduous heaps on the ground (20% of the diet). Fruits make up 5% of the diet. Since galago live in the upper tier of the rainforest (at a height of 5-35 m), they eat fruits much more slowly than animals from the lower tiers.
During the day, galagos sleep in nests of twigs and leaves or in forks of branches under cover of foliage. Galago live in groups of 2-7 individuals, sometimes alone. They lead a nocturnal lifestyle. The male allows females into his territory. Females live in family groups, they feed and sleep together. The female carries her young in her mouth. Young galago males, having reached puberty, leave the family, while females remain.
The genus (Euoticus) also includes the Northern Echo-clawed Galago (Euoticus pallidus), which is distributed from the Niger River in Nigeria in the southeast to the Sanaga River in Cameroon, and is also found on the island of Bioko.
Senegalese Galago
Senegal Galago
(Galago senegalensis)
Distributed throughout equatorial Africa from Senegal east to Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia and south to Kenya and Tanzania, also found on the islands of Fernando Po and Zanzibar. It lives in tropical rainforests and bushes.
The length from the head to the base of the tail is about 13 cm, the length of the tail is 15-41 cm. The coat color is silver-brown or gray, the inside of the body is lighter than the back. The fur is thick, wavy. The ears are large and can move independently from one another back and forth. The toes are long, the toes are flat with flat nails. They have muscular hind limbs that allow them to make long jumps.
Favorite food - grasshoppers, as well as small birds, eggs, fruits, young shoots and flowers. During the wet season they mainly feed on insects, during the drought they eat gum, which flows from some trees in forests dominated by acacia.
These are nocturnal animals that sleep during the day in nests arranged in the crown of trees, forks and hollows. Usually they sleep several individuals at once, and disperse at night in search of food. Awakened during the day, they move slowly, but at night they are fast and agile, able to jump over a distance of 3-5 meters. On the surface they are able to jump, resembling small kangaroos. Males are territorial and defend the territory from other males, allowing females to enter it. To mark the boundaries of the territory, the feet and hands are moistened with urine, leaving a smell when moving.
It breeds twice a year - in November (the beginning of the rains) and in February - the end of the rains. The females build a nest of leaves where the young are born. There are two, rarely three cubs in the litter, born in the period from April to November after a pregnancy of 110-120 days. Babies cling to the fur of their mother, who, in case of danger, carries them in her teeth. She leaves them in the nest while she feeds. At the age of three and a half months, the cubs become independent, although they begin to eat adult food by the end of their first month. In nature, galago live 3-4 years, in conditions of detention - 10 years.
Southern Lesser Galago
Southern Lesser Galago
(Galago moholi)
Distributed in central South Africa from Northern Namibia and Angola east through southeastern Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Northern Botswana to Western Tanzania, Malawi, Eastern Mozambique and northeastern South Africa.
The length of the head and body is 15-16.8 cm, the tail is 11-28 cm, the weight is 140-230 g. The coat color is gray, the abdomen and paws are with yellow markings.
lives in acacia thickets, savanna, along the edges of forests. It leads a nocturnal lifestyle, and sleeps in the hollows of trees during the day. It feeds on gummi and small insects: butterflies, beetles, etc. Lives alone or in small family groups of up to 3 individuals. The male defends the territory.
Every 4-8 months, the female galago is capable of conception, there are 1-2 cubs in the litter, the gestation period is about 123.5 days. The cub is in the nest all the time while its mother is feeding, and in case of danger she carries it in her teeth. At the age of two weeks, the cub is able to take short walks, at the age of one month it can eat food from the diet of adults, and at three and a half months it becomes independent. Sexual maturity occurs at 9-12 months.
somali galago
Somali Galago
(Galago gallarum)
Distributed in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. It lives in forests and savannas at an altitude of 150 to 1200 m above sea level.
The total body length of males is 415-464 mm, of which the tail accounts for about 259 mm. The length of females is 380-442 mm, with a tail length of 246 mm.
The genus (Galago) also includes: Dark Galago (Galago matschiei) and Cameroon Galago (Galago cameronensis).
Galago Allen
Allen's Galago
(Sciurocheirus alleni)
It lives in subtropical and tropical dry forests from the Niger River in Southeast Nigeria to the lower Sanaga River in Cameroon, and is also found on Bioko Island.
The genus (Sciurocheirus) also includes the Gaboon Galago (Sciurocheirus gabonensis), which is distributed in Equatorial Guinea, Northern Gabon, Southern Cameroon, southern Central African Republic and North-Central Congo.
Zanzibar galago
Zanzibar Galago
(Galagoides zanzibaricus)
Distributed in Tanzania on the island of Zanzibar, on the territory of the Udzungwa, Uluguru and Usambara mountain systems. It lives at an altitude of up to 1100 m above sea level. Favorite habitats are montane and lowland coastal forests, as well as gallery forests and wooded areas among cultivated lands.
Body length with head 140-165 mm, tail 200-230 mm, weight - 100-300 g.
Females breed twice a year, with peak births in February-March and August-October. Pregnancy lasts 120 days, one or two cubs are born.
Galago Granta
Grant's Lesser Galago
(Galagoides granti)
It lives in subtropical and tropical dry forests along the east coast of Africa from the Rufiji River in Tanzania south to the Limpopo River in Southern Mozambique.
Mountain pygmy galago
Mountain Dwarf Galago
(Galagoides orinus)
Distributed in Tanzania in the Usambara, Udzungwa, Uluguru and Rubeho mountains. It lives at an altitude of 1200-2000 m above sea level.
Rhonda galago
Rondo Dwarf Galago
(Galagoides rondoensis)
It lives in the territory of seven isolated forest areas of the eastern part of Tanzania. It keeps at an altitude of 100-900 m above sea level.
Galago Demidova
Demidoff's Dwarf Galago
(Galagoides demidovii)
It lives everywhere in the forests of equatorial West and Central Africa from Senegal to Western Tanzania. Favorite habitat - the edge of the rainforest, clearings, roadside areas.
These are the smallest primates living in Africa. The length of their head and body is 12.5-16 cm, the length of the tail is 18-20 cm and the weight is 46-120 g. The coat color of the back is gray-brown or bright ginger, while the chest, abdomen and thighs are colored light yellow. The ears are short, the nose is small, a white stripe is clearly visible between the eyes.
They live in trees at a height of 5-40 m from the ground, where they sleep in nests of foliage and forks in trees. They are able to make horizontal jumps 1.5-2 m long. It feeds on insects, mainly small beetles and night moths, fruits and gums are also present in the diet. The population density is 50-117 animals per km2. The protected area for females is 0.6-1.4 ha, for males - 0.5-2.7 ha.
The females are kept in families. During the day, they sleep in nests made of twigs and leaves, or in forked branches under cover of foliage. Usually they sleep alone, sometimes there are two or three females and cubs sleeping together. Adult males are aggressive when guarding the territory, although they allow females into their possessions, with whom they sometimes sleep together, but always feed separately. Males with a large mass (75 g) have large possessions, on the territory of which there is at least one female. Males with a small mass (56 g) live outside their territories and have small own possessions. Males of medium weight (61 g) own large territories, but on the periphery of the possessions of females. By gaining more weight, the male can claim a more advantageous position. Young males do not stay long in one place.
The female breeds once a year, the mating season in the Congo is in September-October and January-February, offspring are born all year round with a peak birth in January-April, when fruits and insects are in abundance. Pregnancy 111-114 days. A newborn weighs 5-10 g and spends the first days of life in the nest, then the female takes it and drags it with her, leaving it in the foliage while she feeds, and returns it to the nest in the morning. At the age of one month, the cub is able to follow the mother, but sometimes she carries it on herself. At the age of 6 months, the cubs become adults.
Galago Thomas
Thomas's Dwarf Galago
(Galagoides thomasi)
Distributed in equatorial West and Central Africa from Senegal to Western Tanzania.
The length of the body and head is 15-22.5 cm, the tail is 22-25 cm. The body weight is about 250 g.
Capable of jumping 2.25 m high, more than three times higher than the jumps of large primates. When flying, the tail serves as a rudder and balancer. The ears are large, during the jump they are pressed against the head. Vision is excellent. In the daytime, the eyes are narrowed into a narrow vertical strip. At night, the eyes are fully open, which allows you to have good night vision. The fingers and toes are flattened at the tips and provided with thick pads, which allows them to stick to the trunks and branches of trees. The hind limbs are stronger than the forelimbs, as they are involved in jumping. The main food is insects, flowers, nectar, honey, shoots, fruits, mice, lizards and chicks.
The mating season is timed to coincide with the end of the rainy season. Pregnancy lasts 4 months. The female gives birth to 1-2 cubs, weighing about 28 g, which at first hang on the mother. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 8 months.
kenyan galago
Kenya Coast Galago
(Galagoides cocos)
Inhabits coastal forests from the northern coast of Kenya south to the northern coast of Tanzania. It lives at an altitude of 210-350 m above sea level.
The genus (Galagoides) also includes the Malawian Galago (Galagoides nyasae), which lives in a limited area of southern Malawi.
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