The Ultimate Expression of Love
Published by I will measure your ultimate love by your ways of protecting my life.
Look into my eyes… can you honestly say that you love me?
Probably, these will be the words of the Philippine Tarsier if given a chance to verbally express themselves. These small creatures scientifically called Tarsius Syrichta, are considered one of the smallest primate in this planet. It weighs around 70-165 grams and is only 3-5 inches in size.
The Philippines Tarsier can be found in the southern island of the Philippines and is closely related to the Bornean tarsier, spectral tarsier, pygmy tarsier, and Dian’s tarsier that can be found in other parts of Southeast Asia.
Image via Wikipedia
The Philippine tarsier is not yet considered part of the endangered species. However, if conservation efforts will not be prioritized, these cute creatures will be in danger of extinction. The decline in its population started in the ‘70s when the demand for these animals grew as scientists used them for experiments and poachers traded it for profit.
Slow growth of the tarsier population may also be attributed to the reproduction behavior of these creatures. Love making behaviors of tarsiers are quite extreme. It is the male tarsier that gives out the gesture that it is geared-up for mating. The female tarsier upon picking-up the gesture will hurry to the male’s territory and leave their urine on the trees and branches. The male pick his choice by sniffing traces of urine that were left behind. After making his choice, he summons the female tarsier back to his territory by wagging its long tail.
Successful mating will result to pregnancy of the female tarsier and gestation period usually takes six months. Only one young is born at a time and it will take two years before the born tarsier to become sexually active. This is perhaps the reason why tarsiers’ population is dwindling as compared to other primates.
Tarsiers eat cockroaches, crickets and occasionally small birds, bats, fish, shrimps and small reptiles like lizards. These creatures usually hunt food at night most likely because of its vivid night vision. Its eyes were observed to be larger than its brain and also larger than its stomach.
Another peculiar physical characteristic of this creature is the presence of a joint located between its skull base and spine that allows its head to move a 180-degree arc.
The tarsier is a very special creature that deserves to survive. Conservation efforts must be intensified to preserve them. Try to look deep into their eyes, do you think they are worthy of your love?
Liked it
On March 4, 2009 at 9:46 am
Wow, that’s really interesting. Brian
On March 4, 2009 at 10:06 am
a very interesting article and very informative.
On March 4, 2009 at 10:39 am
Very well written piece..you have honestly made an effort
On March 4, 2009 at 10:57 am
thanks for being concerned for these rare treasures of our country..
On March 4, 2009 at 2:22 pm
They are cute little creatures! Thank you for drawing attention to their plight.
On March 4, 2009 at 2:32 pm
They really cute. Good post!
On March 4, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Unique, memorable work.*
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On March 4, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Sure that isn’t a mouse dipped in caffeine?
Thanks,
Clay
On March 4, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Have seen these tiny creatures when we were in Bohol last January. Catchy title and nice write-up, Kabayan, thanks.
On March 4, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Awww…they are so cute! Really nice article with great info.
On March 4, 2009 at 7:47 pm
It’s funny how tarsiers appear big in pictures. The first time I went to Bohol to see them I wasn’t even aware that they’re right behind my nose. They’re so tiny. Probably the biggest eyes in proportion to their bodies…maybe second to the fly.
On March 4, 2009 at 10:05 pm
So cute, and I really like its eyes
On March 5, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I love this article.
Besides these creatures being absolutely adorable, you captured their spirit in your writing!
=)
On March 6, 2009 at 8:33 am
A really great article about a creature I had hardly heard of before!
On March 6, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Lovely and tender tarsiers.
On March 9, 2009 at 2:03 am
Cute and lovable!
On March 9, 2009 at 4:20 am
Great piece Joshua.
RJ
On March 9, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Great piece. I heard that touching of tarsiers by visitors have recently been disallowed to reduce their stress and allow them to get more sleep during the day.
On April 28, 2009 at 11:53 pm
very interesting piece with wonderful pics.
On August 31, 2009 at 12:02 am
Great – now you’ll have all of these people going out and trying to keep them as pets, just like sugar gliders, and complain when they can’t figure out the correct diet, etc, and they die on them. They are WILD animals, and leave them the F alone.
On April 19, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Aww…cute tarsier!
Brian..tarsiers are endangered species..and they can only be found here in the Philippines. Don’t worry, no one will “keep” them as pets because the government won’t allow anyone to do that.
Great piece, Joshua Miguel!