Stumbled upon the cutest thing on telly today
*drum roll..........*
THE TARSIERS!!!!!!!
Tarsiers are haplorrhine primates of the family Tarsiidae, which is itself the lone extant family within the infraorder Tarsiiformes. Although the group was once more widespread, all the species living today are found in the islands of Southeast Asia.
In general, tarsiers are among the smallest of the prosimians, and are relatively hard to distinguish from one another purely on differences in pelage (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Ankel-Simons 2007). At the basic level, most of the pelage is grey with some, or some combination of, red, brown, yellow, orange, or buff (Niemitz 1979; 1984). The ends of the hairs can be dark red, brownish, or black with a grey base (Niemitz 1979; 1984). Further, there is often significant inter- and intra-specific overlap as well as variation in pelage by population and geographic location such that coloration is not a reliable indicator to distinguish all species from one another (Niemitz 1979; 1984). However, there are some distinct differences between the species in coloration. T. tarsier for example, has white spots behind its ears and a scaly underside of the tail, traits which the other species do not possess (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Groves 1998). Further, T. bancanus and T. syrichta have more yellow and a more pale coloration than T. tarsier (Musser & Dagosto 1987).
Among the species, the amount of tail hair is variable, decreasing from the hairiest tails found on the Sulawesi tarsiers (T. tarsier, T. pumilus, and T. dianae) to the intermediate T. bancanus, to the least hairy tail possessed by T. syrichta which is usually considered naked (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Gursky 2007a). Other means by which the species are, in varying degrees, determined from one another include eye size, dentition, and limb proportions (Gursky 2007a). T. pumilus is easily distinguished by its diminutive body size relative to the other species of tarsier whose body sizes often overlap with one another (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Maryanto & Yani 2004).
Head and body lengths of adults average 12.9-13.2 cm (5.1-5.2 in) (T. bancanus), 11.4-12.5 cm (4.5-4.9 in) (T. bancanus saltator), 11.8 cm (4.6 in) (T. dentatus), 9.7 cm (3.8 in) (T. pumilus), 12.4-12.8 cm (4.9-5.0 in) (T. tarsier) and 11.7-12.7 cm (4.6-5.0 in) (T. syrichta) (Niemitz 1984e; Musser & Dagosto 1987; Niemitz et al. 1991; Yustian 2007). However, in one wild study, average head and body lengths for spectral tarsiers (T. tarsier) were significantly higher at 24.3 cm (9.6 in) (male) and 23.0 cm (9.1 in) (female) (Gursky 2007a). The tail is roughly twice the head and body length (Shekelle 2003). Several species of tarsiers are sexually dimorphic, with males larger in body size than females (Neri-Arboleda et al. 2002; Gursky 2007a). Recorded adult body weight ranges including non-pregnant females are 104-135 g (3.7-4.8 oz) (M) and 95-110 g (3.4-3.9 oz) (F) (T. dentatus), 150 g (5.3 oz) (M) and 143 g (5.0 oz) (F) (T. sangirensis), 119-153 g (4.2-5.4 oz) (M) and 110-132 g (3.9-4.7 oz) (F) (T. syrichta), 67-112 g (2.4-4.0 oz) (M) and 72-109 g (2.5-3.8 oz) (F) (T. lariang), 110-138.5 g (3.9-4.9 oz) (M) and 100-119 g (3.9-4.2 oz) (F) (T. bancanus borneanus), 121.4-123.0 g (4.28-4.33 oz) (M) and 101.2-108.5 g (3.6-3.8 oz) (F) (T. bancanus saltator), 104-132 g (3.7-4.7 oz) (M) and 94-119 g (3.3-4.2 oz) (F) (T. tarsier), and 48.1-50.1 g (1.7-1.8 oz) (M) and 52.0-57.5 g (1.8-2.0 oz) (F) (T. pumilus) (Rickart et al. 1993; data compiled by Shekelle 2003; Maryanto & Yani 2004; Merker & Groves 2006; Yustian 2007; Grow and Gursky in press).
Unique spinal morphology makes tarsiers capable of turning their heads nearly 180° in each direction, allowing them the ability to rotate their heads almost 360° (Ankel-Simons & Simons 2003; Ankel-Simons 2007). All tarsiers have claws on the second and third digits, two grooming claws on their feet, and pads on each of their fingers (Ankel-Simons 2007). Several bones of the heel (tarsals) are longer than those of any of the primates, and the genus name Tarsius partially describes this trait (Ankel-Simons 2007). Further, the amount of fur on the heel can be used to distinguish some tarsiers from one another. For example, while the heels of most tarsiers are fully furred, T. syrichta heels have very little, sparse, fine hair only, giving the appearance of being hairless in contrast to the rest of the body (Musser & Dagosto 1987: Ankel-Simons 2007). The nose is dry (Ankel-Simons 2007).
Tarsiers move through their environment predominantly, but not exclusively, through leaping (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980; Niemitz 1985; Crompton & Andau 1986; Dagosto et al. 2001; Gursky 2007a). The tarsier body is well adapted for leaping. In addition to the unique heel morphology, the legs and their muscles comprise around a quarter of the weight of the entire body (Niemitz 1985). Due to their morphology, tarsiers are capable of leaping quite far, with T. bancanus able to leap over 5 m (16.4 feet) (Niemitz 1983). Other forms of locomotion include bipedal and quadrupedal climbing, quadrupedal walking, clambering and hopping (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980; Niemitz 1984c; Crompton & Andau 1986; Dagosto et al. 2001). The proportions of different locomotor activity differ with species however, and in some cases sets species apart from one another (Dagosto et al. 2001). Furthermore, locomotion in the wild is extremely quiet (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980).
The oldest living captive tarsier was over 16 years old when it died.
In general, tarsiers are among the smallest of the prosimians, and are relatively hard to distinguish from one another purely on differences in pelage (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Ankel-Simons 2007). At the basic level, most of the pelage is grey with some, or some combination of, red, brown, yellow, orange, or buff (Niemitz 1979; 1984). The ends of the hairs can be dark red, brownish, or black with a grey base (Niemitz 1979; 1984). Further, there is often significant inter- and intra-specific overlap as well as variation in pelage by population and geographic location such that coloration is not a reliable indicator to distinguish all species from one another (Niemitz 1979; 1984). However, there are some distinct differences between the species in coloration. T. tarsier for example, has white spots behind its ears and a scaly underside of the tail, traits which the other species do not possess (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Groves 1998). Further, T. bancanus and T. syrichta have more yellow and a more pale coloration than T. tarsier (Musser & Dagosto 1987).
Among the species, the amount of tail hair is variable, decreasing from the hairiest tails found on the Sulawesi tarsiers (T. tarsier, T. pumilus, and T. dianae) to the intermediate T. bancanus, to the least hairy tail possessed by T. syrichta which is usually considered naked (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Gursky 2007a). Other means by which the species are, in varying degrees, determined from one another include eye size, dentition, and limb proportions (Gursky 2007a). T. pumilus is easily distinguished by its diminutive body size relative to the other species of tarsier whose body sizes often overlap with one another (Musser & Dagosto 1987; Maryanto & Yani 2004).
Head and body lengths of adults average 12.9-13.2 cm (5.1-5.2 in) (T. bancanus), 11.4-12.5 cm (4.5-4.9 in) (T. bancanus saltator), 11.8 cm (4.6 in) (T. dentatus), 9.7 cm (3.8 in) (T. pumilus), 12.4-12.8 cm (4.9-5.0 in) (T. tarsier) and 11.7-12.7 cm (4.6-5.0 in) (T. syrichta) (Niemitz 1984e; Musser & Dagosto 1987; Niemitz et al. 1991; Yustian 2007). However, in one wild study, average head and body lengths for spectral tarsiers (T. tarsier) were significantly higher at 24.3 cm (9.6 in) (male) and 23.0 cm (9.1 in) (female) (Gursky 2007a). The tail is roughly twice the head and body length (Shekelle 2003). Several species of tarsiers are sexually dimorphic, with males larger in body size than females (Neri-Arboleda et al. 2002; Gursky 2007a). Recorded adult body weight ranges including non-pregnant females are 104-135 g (3.7-4.8 oz) (M) and 95-110 g (3.4-3.9 oz) (F) (T. dentatus), 150 g (5.3 oz) (M) and 143 g (5.0 oz) (F) (T. sangirensis), 119-153 g (4.2-5.4 oz) (M) and 110-132 g (3.9-4.7 oz) (F) (T. syrichta), 67-112 g (2.4-4.0 oz) (M) and 72-109 g (2.5-3.8 oz) (F) (T. lariang), 110-138.5 g (3.9-4.9 oz) (M) and 100-119 g (3.9-4.2 oz) (F) (T. bancanus borneanus), 121.4-123.0 g (4.28-4.33 oz) (M) and 101.2-108.5 g (3.6-3.8 oz) (F) (T. bancanus saltator), 104-132 g (3.7-4.7 oz) (M) and 94-119 g (3.3-4.2 oz) (F) (T. tarsier), and 48.1-50.1 g (1.7-1.8 oz) (M) and 52.0-57.5 g (1.8-2.0 oz) (F) (T. pumilus) (Rickart et al. 1993; data compiled by Shekelle 2003; Maryanto & Yani 2004; Merker & Groves 2006; Yustian 2007; Grow and Gursky in press).
Unique spinal morphology makes tarsiers capable of turning their heads nearly 180° in each direction, allowing them the ability to rotate their heads almost 360° (Ankel-Simons & Simons 2003; Ankel-Simons 2007). All tarsiers have claws on the second and third digits, two grooming claws on their feet, and pads on each of their fingers (Ankel-Simons 2007). Several bones of the heel (tarsals) are longer than those of any of the primates, and the genus name Tarsius partially describes this trait (Ankel-Simons 2007). Further, the amount of fur on the heel can be used to distinguish some tarsiers from one another. For example, while the heels of most tarsiers are fully furred, T. syrichta heels have very little, sparse, fine hair only, giving the appearance of being hairless in contrast to the rest of the body (Musser & Dagosto 1987: Ankel-Simons 2007). The nose is dry (Ankel-Simons 2007).
Tarsiers move through their environment predominantly, but not exclusively, through leaping (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980; Niemitz 1985; Crompton & Andau 1986; Dagosto et al. 2001; Gursky 2007a). The tarsier body is well adapted for leaping. In addition to the unique heel morphology, the legs and their muscles comprise around a quarter of the weight of the entire body (Niemitz 1985). Due to their morphology, tarsiers are capable of leaping quite far, with T. bancanus able to leap over 5 m (16.4 feet) (Niemitz 1983). Other forms of locomotion include bipedal and quadrupedal climbing, quadrupedal walking, clambering and hopping (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980; Niemitz 1984c; Crompton & Andau 1986; Dagosto et al. 2001). The proportions of different locomotor activity differ with species however, and in some cases sets species apart from one another (Dagosto et al. 2001). Furthermore, locomotion in the wild is extremely quiet (MacKinnon & MacKinnon 1980).
The oldest living captive tarsier was over 16 years old when it died.
