Philippine tarsiers are small primates endemic to the Philippines. They are a protected species in the Philippines and we can find a sanctuary dedicated to them. It’s on the island of Bohol that we can admire the tarsiers in their sanctuary. Despite the fact that they are a protected species on the brink of extinction, they are poached and some Filipinos capture them to keep as pets.
In terms of physical characteristics, tarsiers are very small indeed. They measure between 10 and 15 centimetres in body length and have a tail that can measure up to 20 centimetres. Their weight varies between 100 and 150 grams, depending on male or female. Their bodies are small, slender and elongated, with long hind limbs especially suited to jumping. Philippine tarsiers have a dense, soft, grayish-brown coat. They have relatively large heads compared to their bodies, with large, round eyes adapted to night vision. Their eyes are fixed and cannot move in their sockets, but they can turn their heads 180 degrees to either side to compensate.
Philippine tarsiers have large, thin, mobile ears that can swivel independently of each other to pick up sounds in different directions. In addition, their hind limbs are particularly long and powerful, suited to leaping through tree branches. They also have long, tapered toes, with adhesive pads that enable them to grip surfaces firmly. Finally, Philippine tarsiers have specialized dentition, with long incisors and sharp teeth adapted to their mainly insectivorous diet.
As for their natural habitat, Philippine tarsiers live in the southeast of the Philippines. It is found on the islands of Bohol, Dinagats, Leyte, Samar and Mindanao. This species lives in primary and secondary forests. However, due to deforestation and poaching, the species is “vulnerable”. The Philippine government has recognized the harmful human impact on the tarsiers and decided to dedicate a sanctuary to them. They are therefore protected on the island of Bohol, in the heart of the Visayas.
The tarsier is a very anxious animal, and in the event of too much or constant stress, this can lead it to end its life. A caged tarsier will bang its head on the bars and may break the fine bones of its skull. It can also stop breathing and suffocate. A camera flash or a burst of human voice can be enough to put it under mortal stress. That’s why, when visiting the sanctuary, you need to be careful about noise when moving or talking. You must also be careful not to activate the flash when taking photos, as they are nocturnal animals and very sensitive to light.