Brown Greater Galago

Taxobox
name = Brown Greater GalagoMSW3 Groves|pages=126]
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Butynski, T. & Members of the Primate Specialist Group | year = 2000 | title = Otolemur crassicaudatus | id = 15643 | downloaded = 2006-11-20]

The Brown Greater Galago ("Otolemur crassicaudatus") is a nocturnal primate, the largest in the family of galagos.

Physical characteristics

This species has a rounded head with a short, wide snout, very large ears and relatively small eyes. The thick fur is very variable in color: some have a grayish fur with a white tail tip, others a dark brown fur with a black tip. The lighter colored animals mainly occur in dryer, low-lying areas, while the darker animals live in higher, wetter territories.

The Brown Greater Galago has a head-body length of 26 to 47 cm (32 cm on average), a tail length of 29 to 55 cm, and a weight of 0.5 to 2 kg.

Distribution

It is a common species in Southern and East Africa. The largest populations can be found in Angola, Tanzania and southern Kenya, and the coast of Somalia.

Behavior

The Brown Greater Galago is a nocturnal animal. During the day, it rests in a hollow tree or in dense vegetation. Its diet consists of fruit (like berries, figs), seeds, acacia gum, flowers, insects, slugs, reptiles and small birds.

The species live is small groups in a territory of a few hectares. The territory is marked by urine and a special flavouring that is produced in a gland in the breast.

References