Is aye-aye harmless? You might have come across this question while surfing the net. Aye-aye is known for its elusive appearance and strange characteristics. Let’s learn more about it here.
Origin of Aye-Aye
Aye-Aye is a distinctive primate that originates from the rainforests of Madagascar. Scientifically, this odd specie is known as Daubentonia madagascariensis. It is one of the world’s largest nocturnal primates and it belongs to the lemur family. The Aye-Ayes are endangered species which are facing extinction.
Is Aye-Aye Harmless?
In some local folklore, aye-ayes are portrayed negatively but generally they are not harmful to human beings.
They are known to be shy and always by themselves. When they see a human, they are more likely to run away than approach the human. They mainly focus on food finding in the treetops of the dense forests of Madagascar.
When they are held captive, they are known to bond with their caregivers, this shows that they can be gentle when treated with care and respect.
Also, the aye ayes play a very important role as seed dispersers in their ecosystem. When they consume fruits or nectar from plants, they help speed up the pollination process and the seed dispersal, which is very important in keeping the biodiversity of the forests of Madagascar.
Conservation Status
The Aye-Aye is known to being an endangered specie by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The extinction of the Aye-Ayes is influenced by habitat loss, Deforestation and hunting by humans. However, efforts has been made to ensure a better protection for this unique creatures.
Conclusion
When we get to understand the role an Aye-Aye plays in an ecosystem, we would be able to appreciate the unique beauty of this specie and also ensure that it is preserved and protected from going extinct.