Biologists in search of new species are racing
against time. Their mad dash to identify new species and protect them may
not come fast enough to save their discoveries from extinction. Many
species--like the Philippine Tarsier, the big-eyed insect-eating monkey
whose size is smaller than a boy's fist. Scientists regard the Tarsier as
the oldest mammal now inhabiting the earth. --are threatened as soon as
they're discovered because their habitats are disappearing. When you
clearcut a forest, you don't know what's in there. "One hundred species can
be wiped out in a day."
The natural extinction rate that existed for millions
of years before humans evolved claimed about two species per year. Today,
1,000 species vanish each year, according to the World Conservation Union.
Current Condition: Tarsius syrichta is a threatened
and endangered species. Status unknown with other tarsier species.
Tarsiers cling vertically to trees and leap from trunk to trunk. They are
well adapted to an arboreal life by the great elongation of their hind
limbs, by the expansion of the tips of the digits into disklike, adhesive
pads, and by possession of the long, thin, tufted tail that serves as a
balancer and prop. They are nocturnal animals and prey mainly on insects. A
single young is produced in a fairly well-developed state, well furred and
with eyes open; gestation may require about six months.
Although scientists agree that the tarsier, popularly known in the
Philippines as the "world's smallest monkey" is really not a monkey, they
are still not sure what kind of primate it is. Some say it should be classed
as prosimians like lemurs, lorises and bushbabies, an older (or "lower")
order of primates that could date back 50 million years. It is one of the
oldest land species in continuous existence in the Philippines. Other
researchers think the tarsier, whose name "tarsier/tarsius" is derived from
its very long anklebones, is part of a more recent (or "higher") order of
primates, like monkeys and humans. -By Linda B. Bolido
(Inquirer News Service)
Tarsier can be found on the beautiful island of Bohol
in the Philippines.
The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in
Bohol. The province is the home of the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier
(Tarsius syrichta )
Miss. Lilibeth Frobayre
Why Save Species?
I want you to build a beautiful life and
save two of each animal species. Here are the blueprints for the Life. This
is your Genesis. -Lilibeth
is the name of my adorable pet
so called from their
Tarsier (Genus Tarsius) Any of three species of small primates, family
Tarsiidae, intermediate in form between lemurs and monkeys. Tarsiers are
found on several Southeast Asian islands including the Philippines, Celebes,
Borneo, and Sumatra. They have long legs, short bodies, and rounded heads
that can be rotated through 180?. Their faces are short, and the eyes, their
most striking feature, are large and goggling. The ears are large,
membranous, and almost constantly in motion. Tarsiers are about 9-16 cm
(3.5-6 inches) long, excluding the tail, which is about twice that length.
Their fur is thick, silky, and coloured gray to dark brown.
At dry season it turns to brown like Chocolate Hersey's Kisses
The world-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is Nature's expression of
beauty, mystery and romance. Spread over the municipalities of Carmen,
Sagbayan and Batuan, the Chocolate Hills is the province's signature
attraction. It consists of approximately 1,268 haycock hills with heights
ranging from 40 to 120 meters.
Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the hills are considered as a
National Geologic Movement. During the summers, the dome-shaped grass
covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown, transforming the area into
seemingly endless rows of chocolate “kisses”.
Two of the highest hills have been developed and provided with facilities
such as a restaurant, hotel and viewdeck. -gov.com.ph
With its huge eyes, long tail, and hands and
feet that must have inspired Steven Spielberg when he created ET, the
"Come and see real E.T. found only in
Philippines -Steven Spielberg"
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