AnimalWeb

Bushbaby
(Bushbaby (Galago)

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Chordata
Vertebrata
Mammalia
Primates
Lorisidae
Bushbaby (Galago

The Bushbaby, also called the Galago, is an agile, nocturnal animal. It leaps easily from branch to branch and, having begun in a standing position, has jumped as high as 7.5 ft. (225 cm). There are five species, all of which occur in Africa, south of the Sahara. The most widespread, the Senegal Bushbaby, is 16 in. (40 cm) long, including the tail. It has a round head, with large eyes and a short muzzle. The ears are large and the fur ranges from yellowish-gray to brown. The hind legs are longer than the front legs. The ends of a Bushbaby's fingers and toes are flattened with pads of thick skin on the underside that enable it to get a grip on the smooth bark of the trees from which it gets its food - insects, especially locusts, fruit and birds' eggs, a s well as flowers, pollen, and honey.

Interestingly, the Bushbaby pollinates plants. Thick-tailed Bushbabies feed on the newly opened flowers of the Baobab Tree, eating only the outer parts of the flowers, so that no damage is caused to seed or fruit production. As they feed, they pick up the pollen on their snouts and then transfer it to the next flower, which pollinates it. These are very cute little animals worth studying. ORDER: Primates, Family: Lorisidae.