You will have understood by seeing the title of the site, we have two passions in life: Asia and monkeys. That’s why we’ll do some reporting from time to time on species little known to the general public. Today we’re going to talk to you about the tarsier. This small primate from the Philippines is the local pride of the Bohol region. But what are tarsiers? What is their way of life? Today, thanks to the site A Monkey in Asia, you will be able to discover this small animal native from the southern Philippines.
The tarsier in detail
The tarsier or Tarsius Syrichta for its Latin name, is a tiny primate animal. Indeed, it measures no more than 10 centimeters and weighs 120 grams. These characteristics make the tarsier the smallest primate in the world. Physically, this monkey is a kind of animal patchwork. It has a long tail similar to that of rats, bat ears and has huge globular eyes. These eyes have the distinction of being of the same volume as his brain.
Beyond his unique physique, what distinguishes the Philippine tarsier is its relationship with stress. Indeed, it is one of the least serene animals of all the terrestrial fauna. The tarsier even almost disappeared in the 80s because of man. Its slowness makes this monkey easily be approached. Tourists passing this little monkey in the southern Philippine islands were quick to pet him. Unfortunately, the interaction with humans puts the animal in a state of intense fear. Causing it to stop its breathing until it dies.
While caresses or loud voices can be fatal, this monkey does not survive in a closed environment either. To show the animal to tourists, many locals thought it was more convenient to put them in cages. Unfortunately, caged this primate causes him to hit his head against the bars until he commits suicide.
Areas of life of the species
The tarsier is mainly known to live in the southern islands of the Philippines. However, tarsier can be found in many other South Asian countries. The animal can also be found in the forests of Malaysia, Brunei or Indonesia. However, the species is in decline in these other parts of Asia. The behaviour of locals and tourists is the main cause of this disappearance.
A protected animal
In the Philippines, we have seen previously that the species almost disappeared from the archipelago in the 1980s. Since then, things have changed and many steps have been taken to save the animal. An annual budget is devoted to the preservation of this small primate and many reserves have emerged leaving the tarsier a space to evolve peacefully. Nevertheless, the spaces for visitors to get as close as possible to the animal are still active in the Bohol region. If you’re in the southern Philippines, prefer a walk in the forest. With a little luck and a good guide, you can contemplate the animal in its natural space. Staying at a good distance will not put them under stress and protect life on the island.
