Aye-Aye Lemur
These nocturnal mammals are very unique members of the lemur family in Madagascar. Aye-Ayes fill the same ecological niche as wood peckers. They evolved an elongated middle finger with which they tap on branches of trees listening for the hollow sound that means there are beetle larva inside. Then gnaw a hole using their sharp front teeth and then use their long finger to reach inside and remove the larva. They are extremely important to the ecosystem as without them the larva may kill the trees they feed on. According to local superstitious belief Aye-Ayes are evil death omens and are killed on sight. With human population increases this crossing of paths is happening with staggering frequency. Deforestation is also playing a role as more of their habitat is lost to farmland. |