The Philippine Tarsier is a captivating and endangered primate species. This amazing creature calls the lush forests of the Philippines its home. Scientifically known as Tarsius syrichta, this animal was also quite common in Europe and other continents.

However, the Tarsiers decreasing population means they are endangered. The Philippines is known for its biodiversity, and the Tarsier is one of the few endangered species you can find in the country.

Philippine Tarsier Scientific Name and Description:

The Philippine tarsier scientific name reflects its distinctiveness within the primate family. The Philippine Tarsier is a fascinating creature, which is characterized by its:

• Large eyes
• Elongated fingers
• Small body

Their eyes, each larger than their brain, give them exceptional night vision, which helps them in their nocturnal lifestyle. Plus, their tiny stature makes them one of the smallest primates globally. With a size of 3 to 6 inches in height, this is one of their distinct charm.

A fascinating fact is that their heads, similar to an owl, can turn nearly 180 degrees around because of their unique spine. It is necessary since their eyes are enormous, and they can't look around by moving them in the sockets. These features provide the Tarsiers with fantastic hearing and sight abilities. They can adjust to their nocturnal environment with the help of these features.

Communication

Compared to other primates, Tarsiers are more vocal. However, they do make high-pitched squeaks if they sense any danger. They also vocalize to ensure their territory is safe and keep track of their mate. To maintain their territory, the Tarsiers will use olfactory communication.

It refers to making a scent from urine and gland secretions for making their territory. While there is limited information about their visual communication, it is imperative due to their fantastic eyesight. You'll find a Tarsier mother and her baby using tactile communication.

Philippine Tarsier Common Name and Location:

The scientific name provides a formal identification for this species. However, the common name of the Philippine Tarsier is equally essential as the scientific name.

This species is also called "Bohol Tarsier" because of the connection between it and its primary habitat on the island of Bohol. The island is the most common location for a Philippine Tarsier. Furthermore, these tiny primates predominantly inhabit the archipelago of the Philippines.

They can be found explicitly on the islands of Bohol, Leyte, and Mindanao. The Philippine tarsiers will commonly have a habitat in rainforest with a height of 750 meters (2,460 feet). While they can live in secondary forests and edge habitats, a small tarsier population resides in these areas.

These species like to move about in bamboo shoots or small grasses/bushes. They are most likely to grip over a vertical branch or shoot, which will exhibit their unique hands and feet in this position. Because of their long toes and fingers, they have an adhesive pad to grip the branches.

Philippine Tarsiers Reproduction and Family

Philippine Tarsiers are considered monogamous, just like the different tarsier species. While some research indicates that they might breed more if insects are readily available, they will likely be produced yearly. The female Tarsier will give birth to a single baby after six months of gestation.

The babies will have complete fur and can open their eyes completely. After two of being born, they can climb and learn more about the environment. Close to four days later, they can leapstaying close to their mother. After 19 days, the young Tarsier can move freely, just like an adult Tarsier.

When they are a month and a half old, the young Tarsier can find their prey and will wean about the same time. While females have various nipples, only one pair is used for nursing. There is little evidence of what role the father plays in the offspring.

Philippine Tarsier Diet:

Understanding the dietary habits of the Philippine Tarsier is integral to developing comprehensive conservation plans. These nocturnal creatures primarily feed on insects, including:

• Crickets
• Beetles
• Grasshoppers

Furthermore, their diet is supplemented with small vertebrates like lizards and small birds. Conserving the habitat and food sources of the Philippine Tarsier is crucial.

Philippine Tarsier Endangered Status:

While they have an enchanting presence, the Philippine Tarsier faces a severe threat to its survival. Various reasons have collectively pushed this species to the brink of extinction, such as:

• Encroachment of human activities
• Deforestation
• Illegal pet trade

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Philippine Tarsier as an endangered species. The Philippines unique biodiversity is because of the various ecosystems and landscapes. However, most of them are at risk of human activity. The Philippines is seeing rapid deforestation losing 2.1% of its forest cover each year between 2000 and 2005.

Consequently, this declining number of forests is a huge problem for many species, making the Philippine Tarsier endangered. Recognizing and addressing the factors that contribute to their endangered status is crucial for the survival of this unique primate species.

How Many Philippine Tarsiers Are Left in 2023?

One of the critical aspects of conservation efforts is understanding the current population status of the Philippine Tarsier. As of 2022, the estimated population of these primates is alarming. Only a few thousand of these species are remaining in the wild.

The Philippine tarsiers come under Appendix II of CITES. It stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and protects endangered species. Various legislations and laws in the Philippines also protect the Tarsiers.

The Tarsiers are also captured particularly for tourist attractions, where this species will be showcased for days.

Since Tarsiers have difficulty breeding during captivity, local people collect new individuals from the wild for tourist facilities.

Moreover, there is a perception that these tourist facilities can be the cause of the illegal pet trade. It is because the Tarsiers charm the tourists and encourage them to purchase it as a pet. Some facilities might also sell it to tourists directly.

Final Words

In short, the Philippine Tarsier is not just a fascinating primate but an endangered species requiring immediate attention. It is essential to comprehend their scientific name and other pertinent information. While there have been attempts at captive breeding, most have been unsuccessful. Furthermore, there have been educational attempts to foster Philippine tarsiers ecological values.