Galago moholi
Lesser Galago
Afrikaans: Nagapie
German : Südliches Galago
Lesser bushbabies are about the size of a small chipmunk. They have a head and body length from 6-6.5 inches and tail length 4-11 inches : Length (including tail) 37 cm. It has large eyes, a soft furry body, a small, rounded head, and extremely mobile ears and there are dark circles around the hazel-brown eyes The rest of the body is grey to grey-brown, with the under parts whitish-grey. It is strictly nocturnal and spends a lot of time grooming before embarking on the night's activities.
Lesser bushbabies are more lively than the thick-tailed bushbaby, and also spend relatively more time in trees. They are known for their spectacular leaping abilities. They typically live alone or in groups of 2 or 3 individuals. During the day they sleep in nests made in a hollow tree. If a convenient hole is unavailable, then the lesser bushbaby will make itself a flat, treetop nest or take over a disused bird's nest. When a group of lesser bushbabies share a nest, they lie at all angles, some upside down, in comfort, their ears folded back, forefeet covering the head and tail curling over it. They take a moment or two to wake up when woken and are quite vulnerable at this time.
Lesser bushbabies wet the soles of their feet with urine which helps dominant males to mark out their territory.
Gender differences:
Males (155 g) are slightly heavier than females (150 g.)
Habitat:
They live in bushveld, in association with acacia, mopane trees and riverine woodland but on the outskirts of forests but not within them. Lesser bushbabies are found in the forested bush regions of Central Southern Africa.
Diet:
They often forage in acacias, the gum from which is an important item in their diet and is either licked or chewed. Galago moholi are omnivorous, however they are primarily insectivorous. They prefer grasshoppers, butterflies and moths, but they also eat fruits, seeds and flowers. They also eat scorpions and small reptiles.
Reproduction:
The 'urine washing' is part of their mating behaviour. Lesser bushbabies reach sexual maturity after 9-12 months and mate every 4-8 months. The gestation period lasts about 123 days and they usually have one or two offspring. Mothers construct a nest for their young before birth. The young are born in the shelter of a nest, which may be re-lined with leaves. When foraging the mother will carry the young from the nest and leave them clinging to a branch, returning them to the nest before dawn. The young begin to walk and make short leaps after about two weeks. Mothers nurse their young for the first three and one-half months, though they begin to eat solid food after the first month.
Other:
They are most like the thick-tailed bushbaby, but half the size. The lesser bushbaby's tail fluffs out a little towards the tip.
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