Galago moholi
The Lesser Bushbaby, or South African Bushbaby, is by far the tiniest primate occurring in South Africa. These cute little furballs weigh only about 150g and grow to a length of around 35cm, including their tail.
Lesser Bushbabies inhabit savanna habitats, especially those dominated by thorn trees and mopane. They feed on tree gum, fruit, berries, blossoms, insects and even small vertebrates from time to time.
Being exclusively nocturnal, Lesser Bushbabies spend the day in nests constructed of leaves, in hollow tree trunks, in abandoned bird nests or the roofs of buildings. These nests are shared by groups numbering 2-8, though they mostly forage alone. These groups are territorial and mark their home ranges by urinating on their hands and feet. They are almost exclusively arboreal and amazingly agile, being capable of jumps over 2m high and over 5m long!
Litters of two tiny 9g babies (1 or 3 in a litter is most unusual) are born in summer. The babies grow very quickly and become independent when they’re only 2 months old. Lesser Bushbabies have a life expectancy of around 10 years in the wild, and are a favoured prey of owls, genets, pythons and other carnivores.
The IUCN lists the Lesser Bushbaby as being of least concern. They occur widely in the savanna areas of Africa south of the equator, and in South Africa specifically can be found in the provinces of North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
So cute! I want one!
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I also wish we had a family of them staying in our garden!
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Why are the cutest ones usually the most vicious? Koala Bears can be a danger, but they are so cute.
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The predators probably think they’re pushovers, so they need to be extra good at self-protection. These little guys aren’t really vicious though, so long you don’t try to catch them.
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Pretty cute and oh, those big eyes!
janet
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Those eyes are a very necessary adaptation to their nocturnal lifestyle, and it certainly helps them look so cute!
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Attractive little creatures, in appearance at least. Good shots. I am sad to reflect that I have never seen them in the wild.
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Very cute as long as they don’t put their fingers in your nose, mouth or ears! 😀
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That’s the baby in them!
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They are so cute!! I just love them. We had some in our garden and would watch them moving around during hot summer nights.
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How lucky you were to have them feel safe in your garden, and how nice to have you visit with us again, Janaline!
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Fantasties, Dries! Mens kry nie sommer die outjies gefotografeer nie.
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Baie dankie, Dina. Ja-Nee, hierdie klein goedjies is springlewendig!
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So cute! We saw them on a night safari and it was such a treat.
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Then you probably also saw those amazing leaps of theirs, Jane!?
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They certainly are adorable.
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In the extreme!
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Lovely photographs of a fairly elusive creature.
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They really do make you work for a photo!
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Wow look at those eyes 👀 😍 they look so cute ❤️ thanks for sharing about this little beauty… this is my first time watching this animal 😊
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They are as cute as can be, Rainsinn!
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adorable.
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No disagreement here, Gavin!
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Really cute little creatures. I’m glad that they are still doing well! It must be nice to be able to see them.
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It really is a special treat to come across these little guys in the bush at night!
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I bet it is! I would love that!
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What cute little creatures they are. Lovely captures. Dries.
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Thanks a lot, Sylvia! Yes, they are very cute though they’d be even more so if they didn’t have that nasty habit of weeing on their hands and feet! 😀
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😳🙃🤣
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Hom nog nie rerig gesien nie. Lyk n oulike diertjie met sy groot oe.
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Hulle is regtig oulik, Ineke, maar mens moet maar snags vir hulle gaan soek om hulle te sien.
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Such a cute little animal!😊 You have so many species of animal in South Afrika. Very good night photos!
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Thanks, John. Yes, we are blessed with lots of wildlife and this is one of the cutest!
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