Moholi Bushbaby Galago moholi
Description
Adult bush babies have a head and body length averaging about six inches with a slightly longer tail. The fur is dense, wooly and wavy varying from light brown on the back to silver on the under-side. They have large, round eyes, and their ears are large and upright and can independently change positions. Infants are only about one quarter the size of adults.
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Range
The range of the Moholi bushbaby is the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, northern Namibia and the Transvaal region of South Africa.
Habitat
The Moholi bushbaby inhabits open woodlands, scrub, wooded savannas and grasslands with thickets.
Gestation
Gestation in Moholi bush babies is approximately 4 months.
Litter
Moholi bushbaby litters have 1 or 2, twins are common (Some cases of triplets and even a set of quadruplets have been reported).
Behavior
Bush babies are almost exclusively nocturnal. They tend to associate in small family groups of 2 to 7 individuals. When foraging, family groups warn off other groups with loud ringing. They defend their 15 to 20 acre territory by marking scent with their urine. Bush babies are alert, sprightly and very agile making large leaps from tree branch to tree branch.
Reproduction
Females and males become sexually mature around 300 days old. There are two mating seasons a year corresponding to births between January and February and between October and November. In captivity they breed year round. Bush babies may give birth to 2 sets of twins a year. Females construct nests in which to give birth to and raise their offspring. They may make their own, open-topped nest, or take over an uninhabited bird nest, mat of foliage, or tree hollow. The mother carries the babies by the scruff of their necks for the first 50 days. Weaning occurs after approximately 93 days.
Diet (Wild)
Mainly insects, fruit, mice, and bird eggs; during the dry season they rely on acacia gum
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Primary Threats
Illegal Wildlife Trade
