Rondo dwarf galago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rondo dwarf galago |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Paragalago
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| Species: |
rondoensis
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| Range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Galago rondoensis Honess in Kingdon, 1997 |
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The Rondo dwarf galago, also called the Rondo bushbaby, is a tiny primate. It belongs to the Galagidae family, which includes all galagos. This little animal is the smallest known galago. It weighs less than 100 grams, which is about the same as a small apple!
This special creature lives only in Tanzania, a country in Africa. Its home is in warm, dry forests. Sadly, its living space is very small, less than 100 square kilometers. This is because its habitat is being lost due to logging. The Rondo dwarf galago is now one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates." Scientists first found it in the 1950s. But it wasn't fully described as a unique species until 1996.
What Does It Look Like?
Galagos are small primates with long tails. They have big ears and large eyes. These features help them see and hear well in the dark. All galagos have special grooming claws. They also have a "tooth comb" and a "pseudo-tongue." These are special parts of their mouth used for grooming.
The Rondo dwarf galago has a unique "bottle brush tail." This helps tell it apart from other dwarf galagos. When they are young, their tail is red. As they get older, the tail becomes darker. They also make a special sound. It's called a "double unit rolling call." This call has two soft parts. The first part is a higher-pitched sound. They can repeat this sound up to six times. This creates a special phrase.
What Do They Eat?
The Rondo dwarf galago mainly eats insects. They also enjoy fruits and flowers. These animals are very good at moving through the forest. They cling to trees and leap between branches. This helps them find food on the ground and in the lower parts of the forest.
Rondo dwarf galagos are nocturnal. This means they are active at night. During the day, they build nests in the treetops to sleep. Scientists believe that Rondo dwarf galagos have one or two babies each year.
Where Do They Live?
The Rondo dwarf galago lives in dry coastal forests. They prefer forest patches on slopes and cliffs that face east.
You can find the Rondo dwarf galago along the coast of Tanzania. They live at different heights, from 50 to 900 meters above sea level. They are found in eight small, separate forest areas. These areas include:
- Zaraninge Forest inside Saadani National Park
- Pande Game Reserve
- Pugu/Kazimzumbwe in Kindondoni District
- Rondo
- Litipo
- Chitoa
- Ruawa
- Ziwani Forest Reserves
All these areas together cover about 92 square kilometers. The galagos live in two main groups. One group is in southwest Tanzania. The other group is about 400 kilometers north, near Dar es Salaam.
