Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta): habitat and range

Fun facts

Unable to move its eyes within their sockets, it has evolved neck vertebrae that let it turn its head almost 180 degrees, much as an owl does.
It eats insects and occasionally small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs and small birds.
It lives in lowland rainforest, bamboo stands and dense scrub on several islands of the Philippines.

Life cycle and biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat and environment: Lowland rainforest, bamboo stands and dense scrub of the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao in the Philippines
Birth weight: No precise birth weight found; born very well developed for its size
Size at birth: Born fully furred and with its eyes open, able to climb within a day
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Gestation / incubation: ~6 months (the traditional approximation; studies of related species suggest ~178-179 days)
Litter / clutch size: 1 young per birth
Life expectancy in captivity: Documented record of up to 13.5-16 years in captivity

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Diversity Web; ResearchGate (tarsier longevity study); A-Z Animals; Zoo-EKZO; Animal Spot; Animalia.bio

Where to find it

Best time: All year round on Bohol, Leyte and Samar, at dusk; by day it sleeps clinging to vertical stems in dense undergrowth.

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The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.

Where to see it

Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.

Related species

Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Philippine Tarsier — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.

Same taxonomic family

Shares a park

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Philippine Tarsier