Tarsiers are prosimian primates, sharing their primitive grouping with lemurs, bushbabies and the aye-aye. However, due to numerous similarities to ancestral monkeys, apes and humans, there is some disagreement as to whether tarsiers should be grouped with the other prosimians in the Suborder Strepsirrhini or with the monkeys and friends in the Suborder Haplorrhini. The tarsier finds all of this debate quite dull and prefers to spend its time eating insects and bird eggs.
These pictures were taken by our friend's father in the jungles of the central Philippines.
They look pissed.
Special thanks to Will O'Boyle Sr. for traveling to find these little guys and Jr. for forwarding along the pics.
Lunch time for Golem
Incidentally, I almost bought a tarsier t-shirt at a craft fair this weekend. Here are some other good ones.
Life Science
Comments
George Lucas is probably kicking himself now, that he forgot to include tarsiers in Star Wars
Posted by: milkshake | July 1, 2008 6:06 PM
They look like bat-monkeys, what with those long fingers and bulbous head. I've always like tarsiers, and have wondered what their disposition is. I didn't realize they were so tiny.
Posted by: Zach Miller | July 1, 2008 6:46 PM
Possibly not 'in the jungle' , maybe near the riverbank where a few captive "hold a tarsier" enterprises have set up. I dont think they are a serious threat to wild populations, they may even be breeding them. Critters sure can leap.
Posted by: g bruno | July 7, 2008 1:49 AM