Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Scientific Name: Perodicticus potto

Range: Guinea to western Kenya and central Zaire

Habitat: Tropical forests

Diet: Wild: Fruit, gums and insects, small vertebrates (birds and bats) Zoo: Monkey chow, ZooPreem, carrots, bananas, crickets, oranges, vitamins, cottage cheese

Gestation: 170 days

Litter: 1

Description: Head and body length is 12 to 15". Tail length 1.5 to 4", and weight from .5 to .75 lbs. The index finger is a mere rudiment, and the thumb is opposable to the three remaining fingers, producing an excellent grasping organ. The great toe opposes the other toes, making the foot equally efficient for grasping. The potto is nocturnal and arboreal, sleeping in foliage by day. It is generally slow, moving by climbing rather than by leaping, but it can make quick grasps with its hands and mouth. The potto leaves urine trails about 3 feet long on branches, apparently as a means of communication. Females defend an area large enough to support themselves and their young. Older and larger males establish individual home ranges from which other males are excluded.After being carried on the belly for a few days, the young are left hidden during the mothers nightly forays. At 3 to 4 months of age the youngsters begin to follow the mother, or ride dorsally.