Page 60 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

60 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

Tarsier

You may have heard the expression ‘your eyes are bigger than your

belly’, meaning to take more food than you can eat. But the eyes of
tarsiers really are bigger than their bellies – and their brains! In fact,
the tarsier is one very peculiar primate.

Key Facts ORDER Primates / FAMILY Tarsiidae /
GENUS & SPECIES Genus tarsius

Weight 80–160g (2.8–5.6oz)
Length Head and body: 8.5–16cm (3.3–6.3in)
Tail: 13–27cm (5.1–10.6in)
Sexual maturity 15–18 months
Breeding season All year

Number of young 1
Gestation period 6 months
Breeding interval Twice a year
Typical diet Insects and small vertebrates

Lifespan Up to 12 years in the wild

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.