Moholi Bushbaby
Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House
Did You Know?
- Moholi bushbabies have some of the largest ears in comparison to body size in all primates.
- They communicate nonverbally through “urine washing,” in which they douse their hands and feet in urine to mark their territory.
- A Moholi bushbaby’s first time reproducing will probably result in one offspring, but after that she may have twins.
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Overview
Scientific Name: Galago moholi
Class: Mammals
Diet: Tree exudates (gums), arthropods like butterflies, moths, and beetles
Range: Southern Africa
Endangered Status: Least Concern
More Information
Moholi bushbabies are small prosimians, just 6–7 inches long with tails that can be up to 11 inches. Males are larger and can weigh up to 8.5 ounces. They have gray or light brown fur, which is lighter and yellower on their limbs and stomach. Like many prosimians, they have a grooming claw, and a front dental structure called a toothcomb, which is also used for grooming. They are nocturnal and live in groups that usually include a female and her offspring, although they spend about 70 percent of their time alone.
Moholi bushbabies have two breeding seasons a year. Dominant males generally mate with several females. Females construct nests where they give birth after about 122 days of gestation and raise their young. Mothers carry their infants for 50 days. Bushbabies become mature when they are about 300 days old.
