Is a Tarsier a Monkey? Because tarsiers are classified as primates, they are occasionally confused for monkeys. But these tiny, nocturnal animals have distinct qualities that make them stand out. Let’s find out.
What is a Tarsier?
Small, nocturnal monkeys in the Tarsiidae family are known as tarsiers. Within the infra-order Tarsiiformes, this family is the only one that has survived.
They belong to a different lineage, even though lemurs and monkeys have certain resemblances. When they first appeared millions of years ago, tarsiers were found in a larger range of locations.
But these days, they can only be found in Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests, mostly in nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.
Large, spherical eyes, lengthened hind legs, and the capacity to twist their heads approximately 180 degrees are characteristics of these amazing creatures.
Below is the taxonomy of a tarsier:
- Domain: Eukarya
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Family: Tarsiidae
- Genus: Tarsius
- Species: Tarsius tarsier
Physical Appearance of a Tarsier
The tarsier is an animal with a striking appearance and several unique characteristics that help it live a nocturnal and arboreal lifestyle.
The physical characteristics of tarsiers may differ slightly throughout species. Still, they always share a tiny, stocky body and a long tail with a tuft at the end or sparse fur covering.
Depending on the species, tarsiers’ extremely soft fur can range in color from grey to brown to ochre, but they all have the same long hind legs, which allow them to leap up to 16.5 feet (5 meters) between trees.
To assist them hold on to trees and prey, tarsiers have pads at the tips of their lengthy fingers and toes, which are equipped with nails.
The Tarsier’s head, which can move 180 degrees in both directions due to particularly developed vertebrae, is one of its most distinguishing traits. This means that the primate can see behind it without having to move.
The massive eyeballs have a diameter of over two-thirds of an inch. They allow the Tarsier to hunt in the dark and keep an eye out for potential predators.
Large, bat-like ears that are exceptionally sensitive and capable of picking up even the smallest sounds nearby are another feature of tarsiers.
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Facts about a Tarsier
They are worth a second glance because of their incredibly long fingers, velvety soft fur, ability to pounce on insects or even birds, and unique glare. Here are some reasons why tarsiers are amazing creatures.
Tarsiers Have Large Eyes
Of all the mammals, tarsiers have the biggest eyes concerning their body size. The diameter of each eyeball is around 16 millimeters, making them the same size as the tarsier’s whole brain.
They are unable to rotate the eyeballs due to their size. Rather, similar to owls, tarsiers are capable of fully 180-degree neck twisting in both directions.
Instead of moving to hunt, they make use of this ability to wait silently for prey to arrive.
Their eyes are larger than those of other nocturnal animals, which is probably due to the lack of a reflective covering called a tapetum. Within an hour after birth, babies are ready to climb trees and have their eyes open.
They Only Eat Carnivorous Foods
The only fully carnivorous ape is the tarsier. Although the particular diet differs across the species, they consistently avoid eating any form of plant material.
They consume insects, frogs, birds, bats, and reptiles like snakes and lizards. They are formidable ambush predators that wait soundlessly for their prey to get close. They can catch birds and bats out of the sky.
According to old writings, drawn from local legend, tarsiers consume charcoal. This is not the case; the tarsiers sift over charcoal in search of insects.
Their Appendages Are Lengthened
The remarkably lengthy tarsus bones of tarsiers’ feet are the source of their name. The tarsier’s hind legs and feet are twice as long as its body, which is 4 to 6 inches.
They also have an additional 8 or 9 inches in length from their long, mostly hairless tail. Their third finger is the length of their entire upper arm, and they have extra-long fingers to assist them grasp tree branches.
To help them grip, the tips of their digits can grow into adhesive pads that resemble discs. Because of their distinct anatomy, tarsiers can jump, climb, and cling vertically.
In a single leap, they can jump 40 times their body length.
Three Kinds of Tarsiers Exist
Eastern, Western, and Philippine tarsiers are the three different species.
Sulawesi and the neighboring islands are home to Eastern tarsiers; the Philippines is home to Philippine tarsiers, which have a completely bald tail and hairless feet; and populations of Western tarsiers, which have tails with tufts at the end, are found in Brunei, Borneo, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Most lowland species are the Philippine and Western tarsiers. Except for the pygmy species, which is limited to heights above 1,600 feet, eastern tarsiers are distributed throughout a wide range of habitats.
When the pygmy form was not seen between 1921 and 2008, it was assumed to have become extinct.
Can a Tarsier Be a Pet?
Pet tarsiers are not a good idea. They may be cute, but they have unique behavioral and ecological needs that cannot be satisfied in a home setting.
Here’s why:
1. Extremely Specific Requirements: Tarsiers need a highly specific diet of live insects because they have evolved to a particular rainforest habitat. These settings are very difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in captivity. Â
2. Delicate and Stress-Prone: The stress threshold of these small primates is extremely high. The home environment’s loudness, light, and frequent changes can be too much for them and bad for their health. Â
3. Legal Restrictions: Because tarsiers are protected species, it is prohibited to own one in many places.
4. Ethical Considerations: It is wrong to remove animals from their natural habitats as this leads to the depletion of wild populations.
There are lots of amazing animal companions that are suitable for homes if you’re looking to get one. A dog, cat, or other domesticated animal from a nearby shelter might be up for adoption.
Tarsiers are categorized as primates and have some morphological resemblance to monkeys, but they are different species with distinct traits.
They can be distinguished by their unique adaptations, which include lengthy hind legs for leaping and big eyes for nocturnal vision.
In summary, tarsiers are interesting research and conservation subjects because they occupy a special place in the monkey family tree.