Tarsiers | |
---|---|
Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Suborder: | |
Infraorder: | Tarsiiformes Gregory, 1915
|
Family: | Tarsiidae Gray, 1825
|
Genera | |
The tarsiers are prosimian (non-monkey) primates. They got their name from the long bones in their feet. They are now placed together with the simians (monkeys).
They live in trees, and are entirely nocturnal. Tarsiers are the only primates which are wholly carnivorous. They mainly eat insects, but some are also known to eat birds and snakes. Tarsiers can catch prey like birds even if they are in motion as the tarsiers jump from tree to tree to catch their prey.[1]