Western/Horsfield's Tarsier
This Western/Horsfield's tarsier - Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus was seen during a night walk in Mulu National Park. It was about 15 meters away from the trail and the guide would not allows guests to get off the trail or closer for better look or pictures :(
Western Tarsier from the island of Borneo is recognised as subspecies - Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus.
There are 4 recognised subspecies of Cephalopachus bancanus according to Wikipedia :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsfield's_tarsier
With an average head-body measurement of 12.9-13.2 cm and weighing around 100-119 g, it is one of the smallest primates. The pelage on this subspecies ranges from brown to pale-olive or grayish-brown. Its tail can measure roughly twice its head-body length and is almost completely hairless except for tufts of hair at the end. In addition to having long fingers and widened toe pads, it has two long claws that are used for grooming and marking of territory on its second and third toes of its hind feet. Its unique spinal formation enables it to turn its head nearly 180 degrees in each direction. The tarsi and heel bones are elongated and the leg bones are fused. These are specialized traits that are well adapted for extraordinary leaping abilities. Powerful standing leaps of over 5 m have been recorded in this species.
Horsfield's tarsier , also known as the western tarsier, is the only species of tarsier in the genus ''Cephalopachus''. It occurs on Borneo, Sumatra and nearby islands and is, like other members of the group, entirely nocturnal.
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The Tarsiers are known to keep to their regular area/home if not disturbed and usually hangs out on the same tree in the early part of the night. Our guide for that night was aware of that and he has seen it several times, so when we reached that part of the trail, he was specifically looking out for it :D Posted 8 years ago