The Philippine Tarsier
What you’re seeing is not some nightmarish Halloween monster. In fact, this creature can docilely sit in the palm of your hand. This is the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). It is one of the smallest primates in the world, a nocturnal animal that lives on a diet of insects. The body of this animal is about 4 inches long, with an even longer tail. It can be found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol and Mindanao.
Odd though it may be, the Philippine tarsier is by no means unique.
Outside the Philippines, a number of relatives of the Philippine tarsier can be found, among them the Bornean tarsier (Tarsius bancanus) of Borneo and Sumatra, the spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum), the lesser spectral tarsier or pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus), and Dian’s tarsier (Tarsius dianae) of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The pygmy tarsier, by the way, is considerably smaller than the Philippine tarsier, while the pygmy mouse lemur, found only in Madagascar, is now being recognized as the smallest primate in the world.
I’ve seen and touched tarsiers on a visit to Bohol, where they are considered a “trademark” tourist attraction. Tarsiers are a protected species; thus their capture and sales are prohibited.
Here are some more photos:
These first three photos are how the tarsier looks during the day, when it’s asleep. Yes, it sleeps with its eyes open. 
Here is how it looks wide awake:
A tarsier could be a good Halloween costume, don’t you think?
13 Comments
It’s just plain scary looking!!!!
i wonder how sharp are the eyes of this creature.
more like a modern gremlin… ugh!
C’mon you guys, I know it’s freaky looking, but since it’s so very tiny, it’s kind of cute too. (shudder)
… I think it looks better when the pupils are larger.
Hi Mel, I think its eyes are pretty good at night, like a bat’s.
hi. you might want to check out some great pics of
tarsiers from a friend’s photoblog who happens to also feature other beautiful spots in the Phils.
[...] As per GANDA’s comment here about more Tarsier photos, I thougth I’d lead you to that link from My Gulch and let your heart warm up to the endangered, cute and lovable, gremlin-like halloween-costume of a Tarsier. [...]
hey, thanks for the links. these gremlin-looking creatures really bring warmth to my heart. i am so glad i get to see them for real.
nice blog, lots of great info, i wonder why i never discovered it myself, hehe. thanks to GANDA!
hey!
Its very nice picture that ive seen in this website.Please add more photos in your website so that many people where discover it that Philipines have more beautiful resources. thnxs!
I am doing a science report on the Philippine Tarsier and he is the coolest thing I have ever saw!!!
GRMELINS
THAT IS THE UGLEST MONKEY SLASH THING I HAVE EVA SEEN IN MY LIFE..IT LOOKS LIKE MY EX A LIL BIT HE HAS HUGE EYES LIKE THAT HE IS A MONKEY HEAD BEAST..YEA I SAID IT!!!
Respect the tarsiers please. They are wonderful in nature.
its one of the cutest things i’ve ever seen xoxo