The Philippine Tarsier

“The world's smallest monkey" is an often heard slogan. However, it is not a monkey. In truth, its classification is somewhat problematic. Some scienties consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. While, because they are closely related to lemurs, lorises and bushbabies, others classify them with the prosimians to which these animals belong.

The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), known locally as the Mawmag in Cebuano/Visayan is a tiny animal measuring about 4 to 6 inches (15 cm) in height. The small size makes it difficult to discover. The average mass for males is around 134 grams, and for females, around 117 grams. The average adult is about the size of a human fist and will fit very comfortably in the human hand.

Like all tarsiers, the Philippine Tarsier has a round head that can be rotated 180 degrees. It has a special adaptation in the neck to do this, its eyes being fixed and not being able to move. The large membranous ears are mobile, appearing to be almost constantly moving, causing any movement to be heard. It has uniquely large goggling eyes (disproportionate to its head and body), listed in the Guiness Book of Records as the largest eyes on a mammal. Being nocturnal, having these huge eyes are perfect for night vision.

Today in the Philippines it is more popular of its existence in area of Bohol that somehow aside from the province’s beautiful white sand beaches and the Chocolate Hills boasts the tourism of the province. But sad to say that this tiny and lovely creature is an endangered species in the Philippines.

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