Galagos are extremely agile, nocturnal primates native to sub-Saharan Africa that constitute the family Galagidae (sometimes called Galagonidae). Also known as bush babies or nagapies, these animals are characterized by their large eyes and bat-like ears.
These mammals are omnivores that typically feed on tree gum, flowers, leaves, and some insects. Though harmless and often domesticated as pets, they are a likely source of zoonotic diseases.
They are typically around 9 to 13 in ( 23 to 34 cm) long and weigh about 1.5 to 1.8 lb (720 to 820 g).
These primates have woolly bodies covered in fur, usually ranging in shades of gray, brown, or reddish to yellowish brown. Their large eyes are adapted for night vision, and their bat-like, foldable ears help them detect insects in the dark. They also have notably long hind legs and tails.
One distinct morphological feature is the elongated upper part of their feet, known as the tarsus. While most digits have nails, the second toe of the hind foot has a specialized grooming claw.
Before 1980, only 6 species were recognized, but studies, especially on their vocalizations, have resulted in the identification of more species. Currently, 21 species of galagos are grouped into 6 extant and 1 extinct genera.
Galago is the type genus for this family, whereas Euoticus is the basal sister taxon.
These mammals are native to the forests of Sub-Saharan Africa and can also be found on islands such as Zanzibar and Pemba in East Africa, though they are absent in Madagascar. Some species, like the South African galago, prefer the acacia trees of the savannas, while others, such as the brown greater galago, thrive in tropical and subtropical forests. The Somali galago, however, favors dry, thorny habitats.
These primates are omnivores that typically feed on tree gum, pods, flowers, leaves, and insects like beetles and moths. They also consume frogs, lizards, tiny birds, their eggs, and small rodents.
They usually spend most of their daytime resting in their nests and venture out to forage only during the night.
When galagos descend from trees, they sit upright on the ground before actively moving around using their hind legs. They may hop like kangaroos or switch to quadrupedal movement by walking or running on all four legs.
Known for their exceptional jumping abilities, these mammals can leap up to 7 feet 5 inches (2.25 meters), a feat made possible by the elastic potential stored in the tendons of their lower limbs. Such an adaptation allows them to jump higher than other animals of similar size. Their long tails also maintain balance during these jumps.
These animals exhibit both social and solitary lives.
Social groups usually comprise closely related females and their young, while adult males maintain individual territories, often overlapping with those of the female social groups. Males that have failed to establish such territories live in small bachelor groups.
Their social play includes grooming, fights, and following play. In the following play, the galagos jump and chase each other from one tree to another. Moreover, social grooming is undertaken by the males of the group.
However, in some species, like the Northern greater galago, older individuals in a group prefer to rest for most of the time, while the young remain in contact with each other.
Galagos communicate with one another through distinctive calls and scent-marking.
Veterinary and zoological studies show that galagos live for approximately 12 to 16.6 years in captivity. Based on this, their lifespan in the wild is estimated to exceed 10 years.
Galagos are typically polygynous, with one male mating with multiple females during a breeding season. Males often compete with one another for access to the females’ home territories, and a single dominant male usually mates with all the females in a given area. As the females enter estrus, the males approach them with a low clucking vocalization and gradually mount them during mating.
Having mated, the females build nests from leaves, where they give birth after a gestation period of about 110 to 133 days. She may give birth to singles, twins, or triplets. The newborns, each weighing less than 0.5 oz, are born with half-closed eyes and cannot move independently. For the first three days, they remain in constant contact with the mother. Typically, after 6 to 8 days, the mother carries them in her mouth.
The mother feeds her baby for about six weeks until the young are independent enough to feed themselves, usually around two months. During this time, the baby stays close to the mother and gradually begins to develop social interactions with her.
Galagos are preyed upon by jackals, mongooses, genets, domestic cats, dogs, owls, and snakes. Other primates, like chimpanzees, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and blue monkeys, also kill these animals.
According to the IUCN Red Data List, the Mountain Dwarf Galago is Vulnerable (VU), while the Northern needle-clawed, Zanzibar, and Bioko Allen’s Galago are Near Threatened (NT). The Rondo Dwarf Galago is categorized as Endangered (EN).
All other species of galagos are either Least Concern (LC) or Data Deficit (DD).
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