Pygmy Tarsier Rediscovered in Indonesia

High in the mountaintop forests of Indonesia, this little Furby-gremlin hybrid hid undiscovered (and unmolested) for the last ninety years. Last seen alive in the 1920s, the pygmy tarsier was thought extinct until researchers from Texas A&M University rediscovered the little guy last month.

Pygmy tarsier is not amused.

Over a 2.5 month period, the scientists trapped two males and one female in Lore-Lindu National Park. After taking measurements and affixing radio collars, the researchers were unable to resist the urge to love them, and hug them, and squeeze them and call them George.

These primitive primates weigh only 2 ounces and live in the treetops where they hunt insects (you would too if you were 2 ounces) at night. Unlike most primates, the pygmy tarsier has claws instead of nails.


Handy dandy pygmy tarsier info sheet, in case you run across one on your way to work! Click to enlarge.


Tarsius pumilus takes careful mental note to bite all these a$$holes when they let him go.

Thanks to Liz Carter, Taylor Schreiber and Kangatron for the tips.