Dusky bushbaby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusky bushbaby |
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| Genus: |
Galago
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| Species: |
matschiei
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| Geographic range | |
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The dusky bushbaby (Galago matschiei) is a small, furry primate from the family Galagidae. It is also called Matschie's galago. This name honors Paul Matschie, a German zoologist who studied animals.
These bushbabies live in the forests of Central Africa. You can find them in countries like Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. They are small, have long tails, and spend most of their lives in trees. They are active at night and eat a variety of foods.
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What Does a Dusky Bushbaby Look Like?
The dusky bushbaby is a medium-sized galago. Its body is about 16.6 centimeters (6.5 inches) long. Its tail is much longer, around 25.5 centimeters (10 inches). An adult bushbaby usually weighs about 210 grams (7.4 ounces).
Its face has special markings. A light-colored stripe goes from its nose up to its forehead. It has big, amber-colored eyes. Dark rings surround its eyes, and there's a small ridge above them. Its cheeks are light gray, and its long ears are black or have black tips.
The fur on its back and legs is dark brown. Its shoulders might have a yellowish tint. The sides of its neck, throat, and belly are pale gray. Its tail is covered in fur and is dark gray or brownish-gray. The tip of the tail is often darker. When resting, the bushbaby often keeps its tail loosely curled. Its eyes glow orange in the dark, which is called eye shine.
Where Do Dusky Bushbabies Live?
Dusky bushbabies live in a specific part of Africa called the Albertine Rift. This area includes parts of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sometimes, they are seen further east in Uganda. However, these sightings might sometimes be of a similar species, Thomas's bushbaby.
They live in both old, untouched forests and newer, regrowing forests. They prefer forests in lowlands and lower mountains. They especially like areas with many Guinea plum trees.
How Do Dusky Bushbabies Live?
Like other galagos, the dusky bushbaby is a night animal. This means it is active after the sun goes down. During the day, it usually hides alone in a tree hole.
When it's time to find food, it mostly looks in the middle and lower parts of the tree canopy. Its diet includes insects like beetles, moths, and caterpillars. It also eats fruits, flowers, and tree gums.
Not much is known about how they have babies. However, they might have more babies in November and December. A mother bushbaby can have one to four young each year. Mothers carry their babies in their mouths. Sometimes, they will "park" their babies on branches close to their nest hole while they go off to find food.
Are Dusky Bushbabies Safe?
The dusky bushbaby is quite common in some parts of its home range. It lives in several protected areas, which helps keep it safe. The biggest threat to these animals is deforestation, which is when forests are cut down.
The number of dusky bushbabies is likely going down because of this. However, the decline is not happening so fast that the species is in immediate danger. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says its conservation status is of "least concern". This means they are not currently considered endangered.
