Lesser Bushbaby

Order: Primates SubOrder: Prosimii Family: Glagonidae Genus: Galago Species: moholi

Related Species/Forms:
There are several species of bushbaby all classified in the genera Galago, Galagoides and Otolemur, including the brown bushbaby (Otolemur garnetti), also found at the Duke Primate Center.

Key Facts:

Reproduction:

In the wild, lesser bushbabies mate every 4 - 8 months, giving birth to a single offspring first, and twins thereafter. Females ‘park’ their infants in constructed nests while they search for food, moving them away from danger by carrying them in their mouths.

Social Life:

Lesser bushbabies live in groups of 1 - 3 individuals. Males defend territories that overlap those of 1 - 5 females. Groups forage throughout the night and return to tree hollows to sleep during the day.

Habitat:

Lesser bushbabies are found throughout Central Southern Africa.

CONSERVATION CONCERNS

Population estimates in the wild are unknown. The species is believed to be threatened by habitat loss throughout its range. The Duke Primate Center currently houses a colony of 5 lesser bushbabies, all of which were born in captivity.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bushbabies are active at night.
• Lesser bushbabies sleep in tree hollows.
• Lesser bushbabies communicate territory by scent marking.
• Lesser bushbabies at the Duke Primate Center are named after trees: Crabapple, Chestnut, Marbleberry, etc.
  

View more images of nocturnal prosimians

Individual species list