Bush babies, also known as galagos, are small, nocturnal primates native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are recognized by their large, saucer-like eyes, elongated hind limbs, and distinctive vocalizations that often resemble a human infant’s cry, which is how they earned their common name. These agile creatures are arboreal, spending most of their lives in trees.
Shared Characteristics of Bush Babies
Their large eyes are specially adapted for excellent night vision. They also possess acute hearing, with bat-like ears that can fold back independently to track insects or protect themselves while resting.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of insects, fruits, and tree gum. They extract tree gum by gouging holes in bark with their specialized lower incisor and canine teeth, known as a toothcomb, and then scraping the exudate. Bush babies are capable of impressive leaps between trees, covering distances of up to 3 to 5 meters in a single bound. Their long tails, often longer than their head and body combined, provide balance for their arboreal lifestyle. When on the ground, they can hop like kangaroos or move quadrupedally.
Classification of Bush Baby Species
Bush babies are scientifically classified within the family Galagidae. This family is further divided into several genera, including Galago, Otolemur, Euoticus, Sciurocheirus, Galagoides, and Paragalago. Over 20 species are recognized, with some experts believing more may yet be discovered.
Species are primarily identified by variations in physical characteristics, such as size and fur coloration, and by their distinctive vocalizations. Each species produces unique loud calls that help individuals recognize members of their own species from a distance.
Notable Bush Baby Species
Senegal Bush Baby (Galago senegalensis)
The Senegal Bush Baby (Galago senegalensis), also known as the Lesser Bush Baby, is a widespread species found across dry woodlands and savannas of Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and south to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This small primate measures around 130 mm in length and weighs between 95 and 300 grams. Its fur ranges from silvery-grey to dark brown, and it is capable of leaping swiftly along branches. Senegal bush babies primarily consume insects and tree gum, though they also eat fruits, seeds, flowers, and even small birds. Females typically give birth to one or two young after a gestation period of 110-120 days, often twice a year.
Thick-tailed Bush Baby (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
The Thick-tailed Bush Baby (Otolemur crassicaudatus), also called the Brown Greater Galago, is the largest species within the Galagidae family. These primates can reach up to 80 cm in length, including their long, fluffy tail, and weigh over a kilogram, with males typically larger than females. Their fur ranges from silvery-brown to gray, with a lighter underside. Found in coastal forests and woodlands across southeastern Africa, including Tanzania, Angola, and South Africa, they are less inclined to leap than smaller species. Their diet consists mainly of wild fruits, berries, seeds, and tree gum, supplemented by insects and small vertebrates. Gestation for this species is about 133 days, usually resulting in two offspring.
Mohol Bush Baby (Galago moholi)
The Mohol Bush Baby (Galago moholi), a lesser bush baby native to southern Africa, weighs between 150-200 grams. These small, tree-dwelling primates are restricted to savanna woodlands, particularly those dominated by Acacia trees. Their diet primarily includes tree gum and insects. Females generally give birth to twins, often before the rainy season, followed by a second litter.
Needle-clawed Bush Babies
The Needle-clawed Bush Babies, belonging to the genus Euoticus, are distinguished by their uniquely shaped nails. These nails are keeled and elongated into sharp points, an adaptation that helps them grip large tree branches as they forage. Two species exist: the Northern Needle-clawed Bush Baby (Euoticus pallidus) and the Southern Needle-clawed Bush Baby (Euoticus elegantulus). They are found in the rainforests of west-central Africa and primarily feed on tree exudates like gum and resins, which they scrape from bark using their specialized teeth. They are solitary, communicating through vocalizations and urine marking.