Never Feed Them After Midnight! Gremlins look-alikes Pygmy Tarsiers Found after Being Hidden from View for 80 Years!
by Bonnie Hulkower, New York, New York on 11.19.08
photo via Texas A&M
In our own species, trends from the 1980's have come back into fashion recently—witness the reemergence of leg warmers—and now the animal kingdom is getting in on the '80's thing too, as Pygmy Tarsiers, animals closely resembling creatures from the 1984 movie Gremlins, and thought to be extinct, have been found in the mountaintop forests of Indonesia. The carnivorous primate had not been witnessed alive since 1921, but three live specimens were found and tagged this summer. (In 2000, Indonesian scientists accidentally trapped and killed a pygmy tarsier mistaking it for a rat).
An expedition, funded in part by the National Geographic Society's Conservation Trust, came upon the pygmy tarsiers on a misty mountaintop at an elevation of ~6,900 feet on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Sharon Gursky-Doyen, a researcher at Texas A&M University was one of the members of the expedition.
In keeping with their pygmy name, the pygmy tarsiers are very small, weighing only a wee 2 ounces. Tarsiers are primates, most closely related to lemurs, and are unusual because of their sharp claws. Like their fictional doppelganger the Gremlins, pygmy tarsiers are nocturnal. Using their claws, the tarsiers leap throughout the night from tree to tree.
Logging in Indonesian forests during the 1970's destroyed the pygmy tarsier's habitat. As the tree canopy was thinned by deforestation, the nocturnal primate became more exposed to predators. Researchers hope that with the rediscovery of pygmy tarsiers, the Indonesian government will work harder to protect both this vulnerable, tiny animal and its beautiful habitat.
Thanks to tipsters Tasha McCauley and Joann Hulkower
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What a totally cute lil guy! How could a government destroy something so precious?!
The name you are looking for is Mogwai.
:p
And.. not /quite/ as cute.. but pretty close hehe
It looks kinda cute...not carnivorous at all... and a bit like Tazmanian Devils not so evil younger bro!!! heh heh
I want one for Christmas.
Was that the look on the poor things face after being flashed with a bright light ??? now what does it REALLY look like ????
Bohol Province in the Philippines is a habitat for the Tarsier.
If ever you visit this beautiful country, say hello to one of them at:
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation,
Km. 14 Canapnapan Corella, Bohol 6300 Philippines
Tel: (0912) 5163375
Mobile: (0918) 6021326
Email: tarsier@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.philippinetarsier.org/.
Here's a better site if you want to learn more about these little furry wonders. http://www.bohol.ph/article15.html
OUCCCH! okay it was probably just blinded by the flash from that camera - with eyes like that it must have super-sensitive vision made for life at night - - PULEEEZE i hope those finding these lil' dudes will be gentle with them! fer cryin' out loud. there is only three of them! That makes my heart ache.
go forth and conquer, little squishy-face.
Please leave them alone! No, don't "want one for x'mas" or any otjher occasion! I'd even say, don't even tag them, just let them live. It is OUR way of life that has brought about their near extinction (yes, the bad bad Indonesian governement had their habitat logged but WE bought the wood from those forests (maybe your deck or garden furniture were THOSE ANIMALS' home before logging!)
When shall we ever understand that wildlife has to remain wild, those animals and plants do NOT belong to us, not even for science and sometimes controversial conservation schemes. Let's just put all our efforts into protecting their (remaining) habitat and leaving them alone, in the privacy of their home.
The most interesting thing about these creatures is that they can be taught to speak english!
they are just like little human beings
Indonesian Scientist: Oh noes! I haz keeled endangered speecees! Iz not rat!
Ok, seriously now, how on earth did a whole group of degree holders mistake that thing for a RAT. Seriously.
I find it funny that they were thought to be extinct when they're a pretty main attraction in the Philippines.
How come they're supposed to have disappeared for 80 years when the reason is said to be the destruction of their natural habitat in the 70's?
Are we in 2050 yet? Have I been sleeping too long? :)