African BushBaby

There were BushBabies who lived right by our accomidations at MCF. I think it would be truthful to say that we all lost some sleep or were woken by the cries of these creatures. Several evenings, Neil would go searching for bushbabies ... one or several of us would join him as we quietly walked through wooded or bush areas with a flashlight - looking for the big eyes and bushy tails. I did not see any, but they were spotted. It's almost impossible to get a picture, because they move so fast are gone shortly after you see them. I got these pictures and info from the internet to share.


One of the primary reasons the Bush Baby was given its name is due to the sound of one of its many vocalizations. This particular vocalization sounds similar to human child crying in the woods, so the native people coinhabiting with them gave the animals the common name of BushBaby.

The adorable bush baby is a cuddly primate that is native to Africa. Galagos means little night monkeys in the Afrikaans dialect and the term is the scientific name for bush babies. Imagine visiting Kenya for a wildlife safari, and having the wildlife come and visit you at your lodgings. These gentle, furry creatures forage for their food at night and they love to eat seeds, nuts, tree gum, fruits and flowers. While vegetarian fare seems to be the diet of choice; a bushbaby will also happily eat a few tiny animals and insects. Bush babies are also known to enjoy the taste of fermented fruit and might just finish off that partial glass of wine you left on the table.

In fact there is a Swahili term "kama komba" that is often used in Tanzania. Literally translated it means to act "like a little bush baby". Locals use the phrase to describe someone who has been drinking alcohol until they are "3 sheets to the wind".

These gentle animals are seen during the nighttime hours, and it is very rare to catch a glimpse of one moving about during the daylight.

The smallest are about 1 ft (30 cm) long, including the long, furry tail. All have fluffy fur, small pointed faces with large eyes, and naked, highly mobile ears. The very large eyes are adapted for nocturnal vision and their pupils contract so as to be almost invisible. The long hind legs are specialized for jumping; the fingers and toes are long and slender, with fleshy terminal pads; and the thumb and big toe are opposable. These animals can leap more than 5-6 feet in a vertical direction. They are agile, speedy climbers and their long tails give them added balance. Almost all of their tiny digits have nails at the tips, but there is no nail on the hindfoot's second toe. This is where you will see the ‘toilet claw" that these animals use for their grooming needs.

The gestation of Galagos babies lasts from 110 to 133 days and when they are born their eyes are still only half opened. The mother Galagos will care for her baby and after about a week she will carry it with her by using her mouth. While she searches for food she will place her young one on some nearby branches.

The bush baby world is a matriarchal society and females only share their territory with their young. As soon as they mature the young males will strike out on their own, but the female offspring will stay in the area where they were born and form strong bonds with other female relatives.

When daylight is approaching each group of Galagos has a unique call that is sounded.

The members of the individual groups will meet and bed down together in a nest. Galagos may sleep in nests that are made from leaves or branches; but many prefer to simply group together in a hollow log or tree.