How many babies do aye-ayes have at a time? Brings us into the world of this unique primate found in the forests of Madagascar. Here, we will discuss its withdrawn method of parenting and birthing of offsprings.
The aye-aye, which is a fascinating specie of the lemur is native to Madagascar. Its is known specially for its piercing eyes, skeletal middle finger which is otherwise known as witch’s finger that is used for locating insects on trees, and a long bushy tail. Its reproductive patterns are varied and we will talk more about that below.
Reproductive Habits
The Aye-ayes which is also known as Daubentonia madagascariensis, have a slow reproduction rate compared to other animals in the lemur family.
They get to their sexuality period at about 2 to 3 years of age. Immediately they reach maturity, they take part in a more complex mating activities like scent marking, vocalizations and intricate body movements.
Some other lemurs give birth to a lot of offspring but the aye- aye, known for its solitary approach to parenting, gives birth to just one offspring at a time.
Their period of gestation is approximately 160 days, where after this period, the female aye-aye gives birth to a tiny helpless infant.
Infant Care
The Aye-ayes invest more time in caring for the new offspring and this offspring is highly dependent on their mother for survival.
Constant care is provided by the mother, she carries the infant in her mouth in the first few weeks of birth and later leaves it to fend for itself in a nest while she goes in search of food.
“Parking,” is one behaviour of an Aye-aye and this happen when it leaves the infants in a safe location and goes after food foraging.
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Challenges to Reproduction
The aye-ayes are faced with various challenges for a successful reproduction. They include hunting, habitat loss and a slow reproductive rate. This makes its population reduce.
Conservation Implications
It is very important to understand its reproductive habits for conservation. The Aye-aye has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), passes through various threats that requires a maximum conservation effort.
To protect the aye-ayes from extinction, a habitat preservation, community education and anti-poaching measures has to be carried out.