Trivia question for Jun-27-2011

Carter liked the looks of these guys and he was amazed at how tiny they are as well.  Here is his trivia.  These are the only extant entirely carnivorous primates: they are primarily insectivorous, and catch insects by jumping at them. They are also known to prey on birds, snakes, lizards, and bats. As they jump from tree to tree, they can even catch birds in motion.

Gestation takes about six months, and they give birth to single offspring. They are born furred, and with open eyes, and are able to climb within a day of birth.  They tend to be extremely shy animals. Contact with human beings (including being petted by humans) often leads to their death within a few months, hence conservation in natural surroundings away from human contact is all the more important.

So here are Carter’s questions:  Tell us what this wide-eyed little creature is and where they can be found.  Also, tell us what is different about their second and third toe.  And as a bonus, tell us why tribal tradition in their homeland reveres these guys as a magical animal?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Wow, two days in a row… the kids are really amazed.  We received plenty of guesses but this one seemed to throw everyone off.  The tiny little aliens we featured are the Tarsiers.  Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal predators that have enormous eyes and a head that can rotate to see directly behind it.  These agile creatures only weigh in at between 3-6 ounces.  Although the group was once more widespread, all the species living today are found in the islands of Southeast Asia.

Their fingers are elongated, with the third finger being about the same length as the upper arm. Most of the digits have nails, but the second and third toes of the hind feet bear claws instead, which are used for grooming. Tarsiers have very soft, velvety fur, which is generally buff, beige, or ochre in color.

Tribal tradition in Borneo reveres the Tarsier as a magical animal because it appears that it can turn its head in almost a full circle.  Here is more on these cool little primates: Tarsiers
Check this out:

Thanks for playing along 😉