Aye-aye Facts
- The surprisingly short, if distinctive, term of Aye-aye serves as the most typically used moniker for this remarkable mammal. In fact, it’s presently the only broadly accepted common name for the creature. While not unknown, that’s somewhat uncommon.
- Within scientific circles, however, the amazing animal is perhaps better known to the majority by its technical appellation. Unfortunately for the layperson, though, that’s an extremely difficult label to pronounce, even compared to most other such epithets.
- That’s because this intriguing creation of evolution holds the tag Daubentonia madagascariensis. It received that honorific due to the efforts of Johann Friedrich Gmelin. The German naturalist recorded the first recognition of it as a distinct species.
- Regardless of which of these one chooses to use when speaking of it, the small creature remains a surprising animal. It currrently represents the only known surviving member of both its Family and Genus. Another went extinct less than 1,000 years ago.
- Regrettably, the remarkable Aye-aye holds a precarious position regarding its population in the wild. This seems to be quite small, and easily disturbed. Accordingly, the IUCN now lists the marvel of Nature as Endangered on its published Red List.
- The animal now faces multiple threats to its continued existence. Most of these stem from the actions of humans. Due to superstitions, locals often kill them on sight. Deforestation, due to human actions, and climate change also endanger the species.
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Aye-aye Physical Description
The unusual Aye-aye almost always captivates those fortunate enough to encounter it in the wild. Though few find it visually appealing, it nonetheless captures one’s attention. It does not do so, though, due to impressive physical stature. That’s true since it’s a small species.
In terms of both size and appearance, it follows a pattern prevalent among all known varieties of lemurs. That’s in the fact that it displays no notable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. The genders thus appear virtually identical.
A mature individual of this mammal attains an average head and body length measuring approximately 14 – 17 in (36 – 43 cm). The lengthy tail, though, significantly increases the total size. This appendage reaches a mean growth of 22 – 24 in (56 – 61 cm) itself.
The biological wonder also achieves similarly diminutive qualities in terms of its weight. The same mature adult specimens reach an average mass equaling only about 4 lbs (1.8 kg). The overall body shape therefore tends to be relatively thin and elongated in structure.
In its youth, the awesome animal presents a significantly different pattern of coloring than adults. At this time, the underside of the body shows varying shades of dark brown. Yet, the upper part of the body usually shows a silvery shade, with a dark stripe down the back.
As it matures, though, this pattern Aye-aye changes. It typically becomes a full-body coverage of dark fur, though it includes random hues. Most tend to consist of dark shades of yellow or brown. On the heqad and back, however, the tips of the hair shows white.
Yet, it’s the hands of the creature that typically garner the most attention. That’s due to the nature of its distinctive fingers. All develop as quite bony in nature, but the third stands out. This digit develops as much longer and thinner than the others on each of its hands.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Family: Daubentoniidae
- Genus: Daubentonia
- Species: D. madagascariensis
Aye-aye Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The fabulous, if admittedly unusual, Aye-aye evolved as native to a very small section of the surface of the earth. This location probably won’t surprise many who learn of it, however. That’s because Nature created this biological marvel as endemic to only a single location.
That’s the island of Madagascar, itself an astonishing natural wonder. Situated off the east coast of Africa, it’s a setting filled with marvels. Yet, even within this highly limited zone of habitation, it primarily appears in specific portions of the eastern coast of the island.
Thankfully, the creature also evolved a moderately extensive degree of flexibility in terms of its habitat choices. Due to this adaptability, it appears in several types of ecosystems. The majority of individuals, though, live in either rainforest or deciduous forests.
Those living in the rainforest, spend the largest part of their time in the dense canopy. As a result, most of these are seen at altitudes of roughly 230 ft (70 m). Sadly, however, many are now forced to take up residence in cultivated areas, due to deforestation in their region.
The Aye-aye lives as nocturnal in nature, and almost exclusively arboreal, as well. It spends the vast majority of its life high in the tree tops. There, it carries out its activities, such as mating, eating, and sleeping. It does the latter in large nests it builds among the branches.
The animal also lives a principally solitary life, with the exception being for mating purposes. This activity occurs throughout the year. Females generally give birth to one live offpring every 2 -3 years. The young typically remain in the nest for 2 – 3 months, before leaving.
The creature also evolved as omnivorous in its dietary needs and preferences. The largest part of its diet consists of such fare as fruits, nuts, and seeds. Yet, it also consumes nectar, honey, fungi, and insects. In turn, its only known natural predator consists of the Fossa.
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