These
tiny prosimians, are named for the tarsal bone in their long hind
legs. These powerful legs allow tarsiers to jump from one tree to
another, landing on vertical branches. They live in Indonesia, Borneo,
and the Philippine Islands. They are primarily meat eaters, foraging
for insects and lizards in the night. The average tarsier weighs
4 or 5 oz. and is about 2.5 to 3 in. in length.
Like many other
prosimians, the tarsier's existence is threatened by the clearing
of forests in its native range.
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