Moholi Bushbaby

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Moholi bushbabies are small primates with grayish-brown fur that is lighter on their limbs and trunk. They use their oversized ears and eyes to detect both predators and their insect prey. Their long tails help with balance as they jump from tree to tree, propelled by long back legs ideal for vertical climbing and leaping. Nocturnal, they spend the day nesting in tree holes, often packed with multiple individuals, to hide from predators, such as large birds, snakes, and mongooses. Moholi bushbabies have a polygynous mating system in which dominant males breed females within surrounding territories.

Did You Know?

Moholi bushbabies communicate non-verbally through “urine washing,” in which they douse their hands and feet with urine to mark their territory.

Females and their young form the core of their small family groups. Members aggressively defend their territory from others and force juvenile males to leave their natal group at maturity.

Females either build their own nest or take over an abandoned bird nest.