Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Scientific Name: Galago moholi

Range: Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, northern Namibia and the Transvaal region of South Africa

Habitat: Open woodlands, scrub, wooded savannas and grasslands with thickets

Diet: Wild: Mainly insects, fruit, mice, and bird eggs; during the dry season they rely on acacia gum
Zoo: Monkey biscuits, mealworms, vegetables, greens, some fruit

Gestation: 4 months

Litter: 1 or 2, twins are common (Some cases of triplets and even a set of quadruplets have been reported)

Life Span: Wild: Early to mid teens, Zoo: Mid to late teens

Description: Adult bush babies have a head and body length averaging about six inches with a slightly longer tail. The fur is dense, wooly and wavy varying from light brown on the back to silver on the under-side. They have large, round eyes and their ears are large and upright and can independently change positions. Infants are only about one quarter the size of adults.

Behavior: Bush babies are almost exclusively nocturnal. They tend to associate in small family groups of 2 to 7 individuals. When foraging, family groups warn off other groups with loud ringing. They defend their 15 to 20 acre territory by marking scent with their urine. Bush babies are alert, sprightly and very agile making large leaps from tree branch to tree branch.

Reproduction: Bush babies reach sexual maturity at 8 months and mating often occurs twice a year, usually in spring and fall. In captivity they breed year round.

Did You Know? When the female is ready to give birth she goes into hiding. She hides for 3 days protecting her newborns. The babies are weaned at 6 weeks and can feed themselves at 8 weeks. Bush babies are fully grown at 4 months.