Mountain tarsier, Lesser spectral tarsier
The pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus ), also known as the mountain tarsier or the lesser spectral tarsier, is a nocturnal primate found in central Sulawesi, Indonesia, in an area with lower vegetative species diversity than the lowland tropical forests. The pygmy tarsier was believed to have become extinct in the early 20th century. Then, in 2000, Indonesian scientists accidentally killed one while trapping rats. The first pygmy tarsiers seen alive since the 1920s were found by a research team led by Dr. Sharon Gursky and Ph.D. student Nanda Grow from Texas A&M University on Mount Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in August 2008. The two males and single female (a fourth escaped) were captured using nets, and were radio collared to track their movements. As the first live pygmy tarsiers seen in 80-plus years, these captures dispelled the belief among some primatologists that the species was extinct.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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Island endemicIsland endemic animals are found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island. Animals or organisms that are indigenous to a place ar...
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ScansorialScansorial animals are those that are adapted to or specialized for climbing. Many animals climb not only in tress but also in other habitats, such...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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JumpingJumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Tiny AnimalsThe Pygmy tarsier is Indonesia’s smallest primate species. It was thought to have become extinct during the early 20th century. However, in 2000, one was accidentally killed by Indonesian scientists while trapping rats. The first of this species seen at large since the 1920s was discovered by researchers from Texas A&M University in Lore Lindu National Park on Mount Rore Katimbo in August 2008. This animal’s coat is longer and more curly than that of other tarsiers, perhaps as an adaptation to its cold damp environment. Its coat is very soft, ranging in color from buff to grayish brown or dark brown.
Pygmy tarsiers come from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. They inhabit montane cloud forests in the central Sulawesi Mountains at altitudes from 1800 to 2200 m. They often inhabit the lower canopy among trunks of saplings and the forest floor.
One group only of Pygmy tarsiers in the wild has been recorded: a group of 3 adults: 1 female and 2 males, which for other tarsier species is unusual. Tarsiers are crepuscular or nocturnal and are mainly arboreal. During the day they spend most of their time amongst dense vegetation sleeping on vertical branches or perhaps in hollow trees. When disturbed during resting they may move up or down the branch facing the threat, their mouth open, and their teeth bared. When they are waking, they continuously crinkle or furl their ears. These animals spend much time looking for prey while low down on tree trunks. They do not make nests but may return to sleep in the same tree. Unlike other tarsiers, the pygmy tarsier does not mark territorial boundaries by means of scent glands. As with all primates, tactile communication between Pygmy tarsier mothers and offspring, as well as between mates, is important.
Pygmy tarsiers are carnivores (insectivores) and primarily eat arthropods that have heavily keratinized exoskeletons. Often they eat small vertebrates as well.
Pygmy tarsiers are monogamous; they are found in stable bonded pairs, remaining together for up to 15 months. They have two breeding seasons, the first when the rainy season begins and the other at its end, about 6 months apart. Gestation on average is for 178 days, and there is a single birth. Infants are quite precocial, developing quickly, similar to other young in the genus. They can travel in groups when 23 days old and can hunt alone when 42 days old. Females stay with their parents until they are adults, while males disperse from the natal group while juveniles.
The biggest threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation. Hunting and fires set by humans are also threats, and, together with logging, are probably going to continue in the future. Transmigration and local clearance are other threats.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Pygmy tarsier total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
As insectivores, Pygmy tarsiers have an important role in their environment as regards control of the insect community and having an impact on local food webs. They are also preyed upon by diurnal raptors.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...