Northern Greater Galago

Galagos are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. Their diet mainly includes insects and fruit.

At the Zoo, the galago has a diet that includes different kinds of fruits and vegetables, mealworms, and various insects.

This species lives on islands near the coast of Tanzania, specifically Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island.

Galagos live in the middle and upper canopies of forests, where there are many branches and vines for climbing.

Possible predators include small cats like genets and servals, as well as owls, snakes, and other primates.

Major threats to this species are habitat loss and fragmentation when forest habitat is converted to agricultural land, fuel wood collection, and expansion of human settlements. Bush babies are also hunted for their meat and taken from the wild to be sold illegally as pets.

Galagos are among the smallest primates. They have strong hands and long tails that help them climb and balance. Although they usually move on all fours, they can hop on their back legs. These animals are very good at moving through the trees and can jump over 20 feet in one leap to catch insects flying through the air. Galagos have large eyes and ears that help them hunt at night. Their fur is reddish-brown with a lighter belly and a white tip on their tails.

Bush babies can breed at any time of the year, but most often between August and October. A mother usually gives birth to one baby. She cares for her young by providing milk and protection and teaching them how to hunt until they are weaned at about five months old. Bush babies become sexually mature when they are around one and a half years old.

This species frequently uses vocalizations to communicate, including guttural screams and clicks. In addition to vocal sounds, they also use their feet to communicate. Rubbing their feet on different surfaces can produce various sounds that help them talk to one another.

Galagos communicate through scent, as well. They have a unique behavior called "urine washing." They urinate on their hands and then rub the urine on the bottoms of their feet, allowing them to leave their scent on everything they touch.

Galagos are nocturnal and mostly live in trees. It is unusual to see them on the ground.