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Western Tarsier (Tarsius bancanus)

Western Tarsier is a 'wide eyed'(eye measuring 16 mm in diameter), long tail (can reach 135 to 275 mm) and light weight animal (80 to 160 g) can be found in the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and on some small islands adjacent to these large ones. Tarsiers can eat 10% of their body weight in one day.

The unique feature of the Western Tarsier is not only the eyes, but also its other features such as extremely long fingers which have pads on the tips and its toes - flattened nails except for the second and third toes; these end with claw-like nails. Because of these cute features and appeals to humans, tarsiers are often captured as pets. However, because they require live food, tarsiers die within days of capture.

Found in dense strands of bamboo, jungles, coastal forests, dense vegation, primary and secondary rain forests, shrubs, plantations and even in some settlements and gardens this animal is listed in CITES Appendix II - CITES Appendix II includes those species that, although not necessarily threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade is strictly regulated in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

It is interesting to note that Tarsiers are monogamous and when female tarsiers are ready to mate, they emit high-pitched sounds to available suitors. These sounds have a characteristic pitch. During courting, partners often chase each other while making distinctive soft sounds. But when mating begins, they maintain complete silence. It reaches maturity at the age of one year and have a gestation period of approximately six months - a heavy burden for such a small animal! Tarsiers give birth to a single offspring, one fourth of the mother's weight, 20 to 31 grams and babies are active on their first day of life, and after 42 days they are ready to hunt! Tarsiers hunts at night, after the tarsier has spent the entire day sleeping in dense vegetation or in hollow trees. Favourite sleeping position is upright against a tree trunk or branch, using the tail for support and it sleeps in different places in their territory each day, and arise from slumber at sundown or during early evening, when insects are most active.

They sometimes carry their offspring in their mouths and when the mother went out to hunt, are usually left in deep vegetation while the mother hunts. Tarsiers keep in constant contact with their offspring through high-pitched calls, yells and noises. Tarsiers' eyes, which can weigh more than their brains, are essential in their capture of their prey and because of their big eyes they are known to hunt at night excellently. Also, their ears are very sensitive, and they can hear long distances.

In the case of Tarsier, size does not matter! It can protect itself well despite it small size. Upon detecting a predator, a tarsier closes its eyes until the predator is almost directly on top of it. At this point, it opens its huge eyes and bares its sharp teeth in an effort to scare off the predator. They are also known for their extraordinary leaping abilities. On average they can leap 2m in distance and up to 1.5 m in height. During the course of a leap, they twist their bodies in the air as they extend their fingers to grasp a branch. Tarsiers' long tails are used for support and balance during the leap and afterward. Their long fingers give them the ability to grasp almost any surface.

Tarsiers' leaping abilities are correlated with their unique hind leg structure. Their forelegs are shorter than the exceedingly long hind limbs, and in fact, their name, tarsier, means elongated ankle area. Tarsiers leap with their tail head upwards.

Tarsiers can also walk on all fours. When doing this, they prefer to keep their tails pointed downward.

Tarsiers are territorial; males mark their area, which is approximately 1 hectare, with urine on branches or with a special secretion from their epigastic gland. Tarsiers are extremely vocal and make loud shrieks with their partners. In fact, they call in harmony, with each partner making its own distinct sounds. Mainly insectivorous, but they are known for their carnivorous habits, which include eating small animals like lizards, crustaceans, bats, and even scorpions and poisonous snakes. Tarsiers must have access to free water to drink.