Fun Spectral Tarsier Facts For Kids

Moumita Dutta
Nov 22, 2022 By Moumita Dutta
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Spectral tarsier facts convey the most pop-eyed features about a tarsier.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 1.0 Min

A spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum) or Tarsius tarsier (as it is commonly named) is one of the tiniest members of the family of primates. This nocturnal creature has similar characteristics to both a lemur as well as an ape. A Tarsius tarsier lives in the Indonesian Islands' tropical rainforests named Selayar and is the closest relative of the Sulawesi tarsiers in southeast Asia.

They are gray in color with a round body that is covered with soft grayish fur. Tarsiers have large ears and long fingers and tows; they also have large bulging eyes that are specialized for nocturnal visions. A spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum) has a bodyweight of about 0.22-0.4 lb (102-200 g), and the length of their body ranges between 7.9-10.2 in (20-26 cm). They have long tails that are almost the same size in length when compared to their body with a head-tail length that has a range of about 11.6-15.7 in (29.5-40 cm). However, factors like habitat loss and hunting have critically lowered their population, marking them as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of animals.

Familiar creatures such as the black lemur and mongoose lemur can also be checked for fascinating new information.
 

Spectral Tarsier Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Lizards, beetles, locusts, moths

What Type of Animal were they?

Carnivorous

Average Litter Size?

1

How Much Did They Weigh?

0.22-0.4 lb (102-200 g)

What habitat Do they Live In?

tropical forests

Where Do They Live?

South-eastern Asia

How Long Were They?

3.5-5.5 in (9-14 cm)

How Tall Were They?

N/A

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Tarsius

Family

Tarsiidae

Scientific Name

Tarsius spectrum

What Do They Look Like?

Gray

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

snakes, owls, cats, habitat loss

What is their Conservation Status?

Vulnerable
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Written by Moumita Dutta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

Moumita Dutta picture

Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.

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