General Info :
Galagos also known as bushbabies, bush
babies or nagapies are small, nocturnal primates native
to continental Africa, and make up the family Galagidae. They are
sometimes included as a subfamily within the Lorisidae or Loridae. According to some accounts, the name "bush baby" comes from either
the animal's cries or appearance. The South African name nagapie comes from the fact they are
almost exclusively seen at night. Galagos are said to have evolved 40–50 million years ago from slow-moving prosimians
that could not compete with larger, faster primates in Africa. The competition
was much less at night, so they evolved into the bush babies they are today.
Physique :
Galagos have large eyes that give them good night vision, strong hind limbs,
acute hearing, and long tails that help them balance. Their ears are batlike
and allow them to track insects in the dark. They have nails on most of their
digits, except for the second toe of the hindfoot, which bears a 'toilet' claw
for grooming.
Diet :
Their diet is a mixture of insects and other small animals, fruit, and tree
gums.
Distribution :
The bush babies are the most successful primitive primates in Africa,
according to the African Wildlife Foundation.
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