The Ultimate Expression of Love

Look into my eyes… can you honestly say that you love me?

Probably, these will be the words of the Philippine Tarsier if given a chance to verbally express themselves. These small creatures scientifically called Tarsius Syrichta, are considered one of the smallest primate in this planet. It weighs around 70-165 grams and is only 3-5 inches in size.

The Philippines Tarsier can be found in the southern island of the Philippines and is closely related to the Bornean tarsier, spectral tarsier, pygmy tarsier, and Dian’s tarsier that can be found in other parts of Southeast Asia.

The Philippine tarsier is not yet considered part of the endangered species. However, if conservation efforts will not be prioritized, these cute creatures will be in danger of extinction. The decline in its population started in the ‘70s when the demand for these animals grew as scientists used them for experiments and poachers traded it for profit.

Slow growth of the tarsier population may also be attributed to the reproduction behavior of these creatures. Love making behaviors of tarsiers are quite extreme. It is the male tarsier that gives out the gesture that it is geared-up for mating. The female tarsier upon picking-up the gesture will hurry to the male’s territory and leave their urine on the trees and branches. The male pick his choice by sniffing traces of urine that were left behind. After making his choice, he summons the female tarsier back to his territory by wagging its long tail.

Successful mating will result to pregnancy of the female tarsier and gestation period usually takes six months. Only one young is born at a time and it will take two years before the born tarsier to become sexually active. This is perhaps the reason why tarsiers’ population is dwindling as compared to other primates.

Tarsiers eat cockroaches, crickets and occasionally small birds, bats, fish, shrimps and small reptiles like lizards. These creatures usually hunt food at night most likely because of its vivid night vision. Its eyes were observed to be larger than its brain and also larger than its stomach.

Another peculiar physical characteristic of this creature is the presence of a joint located between its skull base and spine that allows its head to move a 180-degree arc.

The tarsier is a very special creature that deserves to survive. Conservation efforts must be intensified to preserve them. Try to look deep into their eyes, do you think they are worthy of your love?