Bushbaby

Introduction: The lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) is named due to its wailing cry, a sound which is often heard at night in woodland areas. They are renowned for their spectacular leaping abilities between trees. They are a most attractive mammal, with their soft furry bodies, thick bushy tails, huge eyes and extremely mobile, membranous ears. Bushbabies are nocturnal and arboreal (live in trees) and family groups ranging in size from 2 to 7 members. At times they may venture on the ground, when they walk either on their hind legs or on all fours. Although family groups hold small territories, foraging for food is done alone.

Distribution: Bushbabies can be found around much of Namibia and are frequent visitors to the rest camp at Waterberg, as well as in the Grootfontein area.

Diet: Tree sap and fruit form the basis of their diet, but this is supplemented by insects such as moths, grasshoppers, termites, spiders and small beetles.

Colouring: The lesser bushbaby is very light grey in colour with yellowish legs.

Breeding: Females have a short oestrus period during winter. They generally give birth to twins before the rainy season, which is immediately followed by a second oestrus. Well before the onset of the next dry season, a second set of twins are born. Gestation period is 125 days. A female will mate with up to six males during the peak of her oestrus cycle.

Size: Length 37cm (includes a 20cm tail) with a mass of around 150g.