This creature lives in the bamboo of Madagascar.Zoologists refer it to a mammal of the order prosimians.It was discovered by Pierre naturalist Sonnerom during their work on the shores of Madagascar.Name it - aye-aye or Madagascan rukonozhka.Consider this unpretentious but very funny creation in more detail.
What kind of animal is this?
Aye-aye, or just ah-ah - this mammal, referred to a special kind of lemurs.Rukonozhka is the only species from the same family.However, it looks completely unlike anything his fellow lemurs, monkeys or at all.Scientists note that the Madagascan rukonozhka (photo of this unusual prosimians presented in the article) at its closest kinship to proteins or cats.Even with its size animal resembles the domestic cat.
Who opened rukonozhka?
this the only kind of the family of the same name was opened in 1780, the year the researcher Pierre Sonnerom.This amazing poluobezyanu he accidentally discovered doing research on the west coast of Madagascar.The researcher described it as a never seen before creating a rodent, but soon the scientists decided to change the classification rukonozhki.
Who is she - a rodent or a lemur?
Systematics Madagascar rukonozhki repeatedly questioned: the place of aye-aye in zoology were many scientific controversies.For example, its unique structure of the teeth and tail squirrel said that rukonozhku be attributed precisely to the tropical rodents.So it was, but not for long.Scientific debate about the classification of the animal flared up constantly.
As a result, scientists agreed that Madagascar rukonozhka (photo №2) - this is not a rodent, but a real lemur, albeit somewhat rejected in the development of the common trunk of the group.Incidentally, the name of the subfamily (kind) of these animals was given in honor of the French naturalist Jean-Louis Marie Dobantona, who lived in the years 1716-1800.
How does rukonozhka?
animal covered by brown-black hair, and a long bushy tail.A distinctive feature of this animal is its elongated fingers (look at the photo ah-ah).Color of creating mostly brown, a white speck.The length rukonozhka reaches only 40-44 cm (without the tail).Last strikingly similar to the tail proteins.Interestingly, in the length is considerably greater than the rukonozhka and reaches 60 centimeters.Animal weight - about 3 kilograms.
rukonozhka Madagascar has a broad muzzle with a short front part.It was situated on a large head, which is decorated with dark eyes and big bright yellow or greenish color.Ears rukonozhki oval, they are completely devoid of hair and have a leathery texture.As already mentioned, the animal's body is covered with long brown-black hair.Wool rukonozhki can not be called rich because out of her clearly visible undercoat.In the groin area at this animal has two nipple.
front legs of these creatures - short, and rear - a little longer.On the big fingers of both legs of the aye-aye is growing only true nail resembling a human.All other fingers and toes in these unusual animals grow conventional claws.As monkeys, they contrasted fifth finger.Long fingers of the forelimbs to help them get the insects and their larvae from cracks of trees or other hard to reach places and push them into his throat.
inhabited this creature?
As the name of the animal, the aye-aye or Madagascan rukonozhka inhabits the island of Madagascar, to be more precise, its northern part.She lives directly into the rainforest and is the most important representative of the so-called night of primates.By the way, this species is listed in the Red Book as endangered, but this - later.
The Madagascan powered rukonozhka ay-ay?
These creatures feed on fruits, coconuts, mangoes, as well as insect larvae and large beetles.Rukonozhek teeth are very similar to the teeth of rodents and are located in the mouth area in the amount of 18 pieces.Cutters these animals and curved ones.They are separated from the molars significant gap.
curious that after the change of the so-called milk teeth fangs aye-aye is not saved, but the actual incisors continue to grow throughout the animal's life.That front incisors are used for gnawing nut rind and bark thick stems of various plants.When the fruit is Prokushev, madagaskaskaya rukonozhka begins to pick out the flesh with the help of his long, thin fingers.
Lifestyle rukonozhek ay-ay
This animal is nocturnal.Daylight rukonozhki Madagascar suffer very badly, and sometimes even painful.The scientists who conducted experiments on these creatures, found out that he just scares rukonozhek.Once the sunset, an animal leaves the shelter starts to frolic and fun grunting.At this time rukonozhki randomly jumping on the trees in search of food.Photo ay-ay clearly it shows.But it is worth the sun rise, as night animals immediately flee for their shelters.
Where are they hiding?
as a refuge ay-ay prefer hollows, located not too high off the ground.Zoologists point out that sometimes these creatures can live in specially constructed nests of their own.Sleep Madagascar rukonozhki as lemurs, curled into a ball.At the same time, they are hiding their beautiful bushy tail.Their life expectancy in nature is unknown, but in captivity they live up to 25 years.
Another discovery scientists
long time zoologists were sure rukonozhki are hermits, t. E. Live alone.Not so long ago this was refuted fauna researcher Eleanor Sterling.Initially, scientists believed that these creatures search for food alone, but Sterling has studied the behavior of rukonozhek in nature, proved that the aye-aye move in search of food in pairs.
as it happens.Both animal traveling one behind the other in the exact sequence.If, for example, one of them will want to jump on the nearest tree, be sure to notify using a particular sound of his friend, who, in turn, dutifully follow.The same pair formed with males and females during their mating season.
Reproduction rukonozhek
Madagascar rukonozhka multiplies very slowly.Female bears only one calf every 3 years!At the same time their pregnancy lasts 5.5 months.For a newborn baby female equips a large nest, which is lined with a soft bedding.About half a small ah-ah fed breast milk, and then - goes to self-catering.But even at that time still holds baby with his mother.
Security rukonozhek
Unfortunately, the number of these unique animals is poor.As a result of ongoing deforestation in the tropics, these animals were in the minority.One time they even considered completely exterminated, as in nature ay-ay find quite difficult because of their nocturnal habits.Fortunately, scientists have found that the population rukonozhek not disappeared from the face of the earth.
At the same moment to protect these creatures were made by members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, supporting Dr. Jean-Jacques Petter for his initiative to turn the island in the bay Antonzhil in a reserve for rukonozhek, blocking access to it on the part of tourists and locals.So they did.In 1967, on the island fired four males and five females out there who are perfectly accustomed.Animals in this Reserve began to multiply, which led to the creation of the territory of Madagascar has 16 nature reserves, reserves for the salvation of the aye-aye.
However, this protection and rescue from extinction rukonozhek not limited.These animals are needed and continue to need a more thorough protection, so were listed as endangered.Fortunately, in recent years, their number has grown.Currently rukonozhki found in large quantities in the reserves.In zoos around the world of these creatures, there are about 60 individuals.
tamed whether Madagascar rukonozhka?
- At home, keep it creation, of course, possible, but not recommended.As you already know, this is nocturnal, which means rukonozhke and its owner would be as if "of the way."When the owner sleeps - the animal is awake.And vice versa.If we take into account the fact that the diet rukonozhek must be not only tropical fruits, but also live insects (and their larvae), then at night to provide your pet so "ration" is not so simply!
- Do not forget that the Madagascan rukonozhka - a resident of the southern island of Madagascar, which means that it needs a mild and warm climate that will make the Russian reality is not so easy.
- Because these creatures can not tolerate the light of day, they constantly need to be kept in the dark in case they suddenly wake up in the daytime.Otherwise, you'll scare your pet.In zoos, which contains ay-ay, they have all the necessary conditions.At home, the reality is unlikely to do so it is better not to torture any animal, or himself.
Interesting facts
- It Madagascar rukonozhka defeated in a popular cartoon "Madagascar."There's her name Maurice, and she is a wise adviser extravagant and boastful king lemur.In addition, the same ay-ay named Maurice found in some seasons of the animated series "The Penguins of Madagascar."
- Many scientists and ordinary townsfolk, who saw rukonozhek live, compare them with cartoonish black cat belonging to the famous witch in the fairy tale of Walt Disney.Some people see these animals some aliens from outer space.There are those who believe that rukonozhka Madagascan aye-aye (pictured above) - it is now the embodiment of evil, concentrated in Madagascar features, called the aye-aye.
