Mohol bushbaby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mohol bushbaby |
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| At Thalamakane River, Botswana | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Galago
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| Species: |
moholi
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The Mohol bushbaby (Galago moholi) is a small primate that lives in the woodlands of southern Africa. It belongs to the Galagidae family, which are also known as galagos.
This bushbaby looks a lot like the Senegal bushbaby. People used to think they were the same animal, just living in different places. However, scientists now know they are different species because of how they live and behave. Even when kept together, these two types of bushbabies do not have babies together.
What Does It Look Like?
The Mohol bushbaby is a medium-sized animal. Its head and body are about 15 cm (6 in) long. Its tail is longer, around 23 cm (9 in).
It has a wide head with a short nose. Its eyes are orange and have black rings around them that look like diamonds. A white stripe runs down its nose. Its ears are large and grey.
The fur on its back is greyish-brown. Its belly is white, sometimes with a little yellow color. Its sides, the inside of its legs, and its hands and feet are yellowish. Its fingers and toes have flat tips. The tail is darker than its body fur, but it is not very bushy.
Where Do They Live?
Mohol bushbabies are found in many countries in Africa. These include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They might also live in Rwanda and Burundi.
Where Do They Like to Live?
These bushbabies prefer to live in woodlands that are not too dry. They can even be found living in the suburbs of big cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa.
Some of these city bushbabies were once pets that either escaped or were set free. Others have moved into the cities from warmer areas nearby.
What Do They Eat?
The Mohol bushbaby mainly eats insects and tree gum. Tree gum is a sticky liquid that oozes out of Acacia trees. This happens when insects make small holes in the trees.
Their favorite gum trees are the sweet thorn and the umbrella thorn.
- In winter, when it's dry, bushbabies often move between gum trees by walking on the ground.
- In the wet summer season, they usually travel through the trees. During this time, they eat many more insects.
They start looking for food soon after the sun sets. They also eat off and on throughout the night.
