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    Tarsiidae – Tarsiers

    The connecting link between primitive monkeys and higher monkeys

    These small, exclusively nocturnal creatures weigh around 140 grams (approximately 5 ounces) and are distinguished by their status as the only purely carnivorous primates on Earth. Their distribution is limited to several Southeast Asian islands, including parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Borneo, where they have adapted to a variety of forest habitats.

    Tarsiers are renowned for their exceptional hunting abilities, which are enhanced by their distinctive physical adaptations. Despite the absence of a tapetum lucidum—a layer in the eyes of some animals that reflects light to improve night vision—tarsiers compensate with their remarkably large eyes relative to their body size. These eyes are among the largest, proportionally, of any mammal, granting them superior night vision to spot prey in the darkness. Additionally, tarsiers have an acute sense of hearing, which aids in detecting the movements of insects and small animals that comprise their diet.

    Another notable adaptation is their incredibly long legs, powered by strong muscles and elongated tarsus bones, from which their name is derived. These adaptations allow tarsiers to leap with astonishing accuracy and agility from tree to tree in pursuit of prey, making them formidable nocturnal hunters.

    Tarsiers exhibit a blend of features that link them to both the prosimian (pre-monkey) and simian (monkeys and apes) branches of primates, yet they possess unique characteristics that set them apart. Their evolutionary history is intriguing, albeit sparsely documented in the fossil record. The limited fossils that have been discovered, including those from the Middle Eocene, suggest a long and complex evolutionary lineage, highlighting the ancient origins of these captivating creatures.

    Despite their small size and elusive nature, tarsiers play a significant role in their ecosystems as predators of insects and small vertebrates, helping to control pest populations and maintain ecological balance. However, they face threats from habitat destruction, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.

    Did you know?

    • They have enormous eyes, so large that it is almost impossible to move them and balance the head simultaneously. Instead, they can move their entire head 180 degrees to get the total view around without losing balance.
    • Their leg bones are so modified that elongated tarsi and fused tibiofibular bones make them morphologically specialized for vertical clinging and leaping. Their super elongated legs are about twice their head and body together.
    • They have grooming claws. 
    • The family Tarsiidae has the greatest potential for pure ultrasonic communication among primates.