The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), known locally as the kupal in Cebuano/Visayan, is an extremely small animal measuring around 85 to 160 millimeters (3.35 to 6.30 in) in height. It weighs 113-142 grams. Its geographic range includes the islands of Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao in the Philippines. It can easily be identified by its big, round eyes (considered the biggest amongst mammals) -- 16 mm across, very proportionate to its body size!
Having eyes that are fixed in its skull poses no threat for this versatile primate. It is gifted with a special neck flexibility -- allowing its head to swivel its head 180 degrees! Furthermore, the Philippine tarsier‘s big eyes provide it with excellent night vision. It has large, constantly moving ears and thin tail primarily used for balance. The thin, rough fur comes in gray to dark brown in color. The toes’ second and third digits have sharp claws typically used for grooming.
The Philippine tarsier lives in tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection such as bamboo shoots, bushes and tall grasses. A nocturnal animal, it feeds primarily on live insects, particularly crickets and grasshoppers. Often, the Philippine tarsier consumes spiders, lizards, and birds. A wily hunter, it jumps on unsuspecting prey and using both its hand carries it to its mouth.
This tiny animal uses diverse means of communication. Studies have shown that it produces three different audible calls. First a "loud call" resembling an intense single note. On a jolly mood, it releases a soft, sweet birdlike trill. During group communication, they emit a chirping, locust-like sound. Recent findings have revealed that tarsier's vocalization in an ultrasound frequency range of 70 KHz and its finely tuned ears is capable of picking up frequencies above 90 kHz. By comparison, humans generally can’t hear anything above 20 kHz.
The females gestation period lasts about 6 months. Giving birth to a single offspring. In its natural habitat, the Philippine tarsiers can live up to 24 years. Its population is declining due to habitat loss; and if no action is taken, this gentle animal is on the brink of extinction. Currently, the Philippine government has launched various initiatives, including establishing a forest reserve on the island of Bohol; to protect and manage the tarsier sanctuary and setting up a wildlife research laboratory .
What an amazing and wonderful animal, thank you for sharing. He/she sure is enjoying that Cricket, while all I can think about watching it eat, is how grassy and crunchy crickets would be to eat! Cute creatures. I really hope they can be preserved.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, an amazing animal and I too love how that little guy chew up that cricket. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteGood post, papz! I've always wanted to have this as a pet when I was a kid. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cates, type mo pala si Yoda. Thanks.
DeleteThumbs up!
ReplyDeleteAdorable yet it eats birds! It's deceivingly harmless looking. I sometimes babysit a kitten who has eyes like a tarsier's LOL
ReplyDeletehehe it's kind of scary :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post, such an 'eye-opener' ..showed this to my children and they were enthralled and enriched by the information they gleaned.
ReplyDeleteThis creature is unique, master Yoda is very cute~ LOL
ReplyDeletehttp://beautyasti1.blogspot.com
The last one really funny to look and the others too.
ReplyDeleteindeed the last picture surely looks funny and does mesmerized you if you take a look on it.. i wish to hold those cute furry thing someday.
ReplyDeleteWow, tarsier is as small as the human palm. I love its hypnotizing eyes. It somehow resembles a bat to me. Anyways nature has incredible variety of species!
ReplyDeleteSmall furry little ball:) I hope it does not bite! Something needs to be done about the dwindling numbers 8 this endangered species.
ReplyDeletesorry to tell but those kind of creature's I don't mind,hehehhhe...Some of my friends have photos taken in tarsier,Bohol.
ReplyDeleteI really like this little creature so I was very excited the first and every other time I have been to Bohol to see them. I feel I can spend the whole day staring at their cuteness.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a tarsier yet. But this little animals looks so cute with their eyes! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a tarsier when I visit Bohol!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very nice picture of the tarsier! Looking at it now, I thought it looks like a bit of Yoda from Star Wars.
ReplyDeleteAmazing post. i am loving pictures. xxx
ReplyDeleteTarsiers eyes are so huge but so cute too Papaleng. I hope to hold one someday :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen tarsier with my naked eyes yet, only in photos. Love the photo where the two were smiling!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little animal! And I agree with Rochkirstin, it does look like Yoda!
ReplyDeleteWe got to see a real tarsier when we went to Bohol 2 years ago. This gentle animal is Bohol's pride. Everything must be done to protect its habitat so that it won't get extinct.
ReplyDeleteI watched an American documentary about the Philippines wild life. Tarsier is featured there. It was interesting.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, your photos of these adorable looking animals are awesome. I would love to see a Tarsier up close.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful you! I've never seen one before but I would love to visit bohol
ReplyDeleteWow! The eyes are so huge!!!
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