Tarsiidae (Sub-family of Primates)

Tarsiidae, from Greek τᾰρσός (tarsós, “the flat of the foot”), in reference to the fact that the members of this family have a elongated tarsus bone.

Common names of members

Tarsiers.

Distribution

Maritime Southeast Asia, predominantly being found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Size

The hind limbs, including the feet, are approximately twice as long as the head and body, which measure between 10 and 15 cm. They also have a little tail, measuring between 20 and 25 cm.

Morphology

These are little animals with gigantic eyes; the diameter of each eyeball is about 16 millimeters (0.63 in), greater than the entire brain in certain cases. They also have lengthy hind limbs, primarily because of the feet's enlarged tarsus bones, which give the animals their name. Their joined tibiofibulae and enlarged tarsi together confer morphological specialization for leaping and vertical clinging. They have longer fingers as well; the third finger is roughly the length of the upper arm. While the majority of the digits are covered in nails, the hind foot's second and third toes are covered in grooming-related claws. Their fur is silky and soft; it is typically beige, ochre, or buff in color.

Habitat & Ecology

The majority of their habitats are forests, particularly those with liana because the vine provides the tarsiers with vertical support when they climb trees.

Diet

Though primarily insectivorous, they are the only fully carnivorous extant primates. Additionally, they pounce on a range of arboreal and small woodland creatures, such as lizards, orthopterans, scarab beetles, tiny flying frogs, and, on rare occasions, amphibious crabs that scale lower branches of trees. But it has been discovered that arthropods, beetles, arachnids, cockroaches, grasshoppers, katydids, cicadas, and walking sticks are among their favorite foods. Rarely, they have also been observed to feed on young bats, tiny tree snakes, and infant birds.

Reproduction

During the roughly six-month gestation period, mothers give birth to a single child. Within a day of birth, newborns can climb, have open eyes, and are furry. By the end of their second year, they have reached sexual maturity. Some of them live in tiny family groups, while others are said to sleep and forage alone. Their social and mating systems are different.