The Madagascar Boots Ai-ai: description and photo

This creature lives in the bamboo thickets of Madagascar. Zoologists refer it to mammalian animals from the detachment of the semi-poor. It was discovered by the naturalist Pierre Sonner during his work on the shores of Madagascar. His name is aye-aye, or a Madagascar lapwing. Consider this uncanny, however very funny creation in more detail.

What kind of animal is this?

Aye-aye, or just ay-ay, is a mammal that belongs to a special kind of lemur. Rukonozhka represents the only species from the same family. Nevertheless, outwardly, she is completely unlike her fellow-lemurs, or monkeys in general. Scientists have noted that the Madagascar lapwing (the photo of this unusual semi-feudal is presented in the article) is closer to the squirrels or cats. Even with its size, the animal resembles a domestic cat.

Who opened the rukonozhka?

This only kind of family of the same name was discovered in 1780 by the researcher Pierre Sonner. He discovered this amazing half-nigger by doing research on the western shore of Madagascar. The researcher described this hitherto unprecedented creation as a rodent, but soon the scientists decided to change the classification of the rukonozhka.

Who is a rodent or a lemur?

The systematics of the Madagascar rookonozhka was repeatedly questioned: long scientific disputes were being held about the place of aye-aye in zoology. For example, its peculiar structure of teeth and squirrel tail spoke of the fact that the rukonozhka should be attributed specifically to tropical rodents. So it was, but not for long. Scientific disputes regarding the classification of this animal flared up constantly.

As a result, the scholars agreed that the Madagascar's canvas (photo # 2) is not a rodent, but a real lemur, even if somewhat deviated from the common trunk of its group. By the way, the name of the subfamily (genus) of these animals was given in honor of the French naturalist Louis Jean-Marie Dobanton, who lived in 1716-1800.

What does the rukonike look like?

The animal is covered with brown-black hair, has a long and fluffy tail. A distinctive feature of this animal are its elongated fingers (look at the photo of ay-ay). The color of this creation is mainly brown, in white speckles. The length of the rukonozhka reaches only 40-44 centimeters (without the tail). The latter is strikingly similar to the tail of the squirrel. It is curious that in length it is much larger than the handkerchief itself and reaches 60 centimeters. The weight of the animal is about 3 kilograms.

The Madagascar lapwing has a wide muzzle with a shortened facial part. It is located on a large head, which is decorated with dark and large eyes of bright yellow or greenish colors. The ears are oval-shaped, they are completely devoid of hair and have a leathery texture. As already mentioned, the animal's body is covered with long brown-black hairs. The wool of a knife can not be called dense, because from under it the undercoat is distinctly traced. In the inguinal region of this animal are two nipples.

The front paws of these creatures are short, and the rear ones are a bit longer. On the big toes of both feet, ay-ay has a single true nail, resembling a human one. On all the other fingers and toes of these unusual animals grow ordinary claws. Like the monkeys, they have a fifth finger opposed. Long fingers of forelegs help them to get insects and their larvae from the cracks of trees or from other hard-to-reach places and push them into their throats.

Where does this creature live?

As can be seen from the name of the animal, the ay-ay, or Madagascar lapwing, inhabits the island of Madagascar, or to be more precise, its northern part. Lives directly in the tropical forests and is the largest representative of the so-called nocturnal primates. By the way, this species is listed as endangered in the Red Book, but more about this later.

What does the Madagascar auk-ay eat?

These creatures feed on fruits, coconuts, mangoes, as well as insect larvae and large beetles. The teeth of the rudders are very similar to the teeth of rodents and are located in the mouth area in the number of 18 pieces. The incisors of these animals are curved and large. They are separated from molars by a considerable distance.

Curiously, after changing the so-called milk teeth, the fangs of the ay-ai are not preserved, but the incisors themselves continue to grow throughout the life of the animal. It is the front incisors that serve to gnaw out the walnut peel, as well as the bark of the thick stems of certain plants. When the fruit is bitten, the Madagascan lapwing begins to pick out its flesh with its long and thin fingers.

The way of life of ay-ay

This animal leads a nocturnal life. The daylight of the lapwing from Madagascar is very poorly tolerated, and sometimes even painful. Scientists who conducted experiments on these creatures, found out that he simply frightens the handkerchiefs. As soon as the sun sets, the animal leaves the shelter, begins to frolic and cheerfully chew. At this time, the runners chaotically jump over the trees in search of food. Photo ay-oy visually shows it. But it is worth the sun to ascend, as night animals immediately scatter in their shelters.

Where do they hide?

As shelters, the ay-ay is preferred by hollows, located not too high from the ground. Zoologists note that sometimes these creatures can live in specially constructed nests themselves. Sleep Madagascar, like lemurs, curled up in a ball. At the same time, they hide behind their beautiful fluffy tail. The duration of their life in nature is unknown, but in captivity they live up to 25 years.

Another discovery by scientists

For a long time, zoologists were sure that the handkerchiefs are hermits, that is, they live alone. Not so long ago, this was refuted by a researcher of the fauna Elinor Sterling. Initially, scientists believed that these creatures were looking for food one at a time, but Sterling, who studied the behavior of herrings in nature, proved that ay-ay move in search of food in pairs.

How does this happen. Both animals travel one after another in the exact sequence. If, for example, one of them wants to jump to the nearest tree, then he will definitely notify about it with the help of a certain sound of his comrade, and he, in turn, will obediently follow him. The same pairs form females with males during their mating games.

Reproduction of the handkerchiefs

The Madagascar lapwing reproduces very slowly. Females bring only one cub every 3 years! At the same time, their pregnancy lasts 5.5 months. For a newborn baby, the female equips a large nest that lays with a soft litter. About half a year, a small ay-ay feeds on mother's milk, after which - he switches to self-feeding. But even at this time the cub still keeps with the mother.

Guard of the Piriformes

Unfortunately, the number of these unique animals leaves much to be desired. As a result of constant deforestation of the tropics, these animals remained in the minority. At one time they were even considered completely exterminated, because in nature, ay-ai is difficult to meet because of their nocturnal lifestyle. Fortunately, the scientists found out that the population of the piriformes did not disappear from the face of the earth.

At the same time, members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature made a statement in support of these creatures , supporting Dr. Jean-Jacques Petter with his initiative to turn the islet in Antongil Bay into a reserve for the handkerchiefs, blocking access to it from tourists and local residents. And they did. In 1967, four males and five females were released on this islet, which were very well established there. Animals in this reserve began to multiply, which served as an excuse for creating in the territory of Madagascar 16 reserve reserves for saving ay-ay.

However, this protection and rescue of the plankers from extinction is not limited. These animals needed and still need more careful protection, so they were listed in the Red Book. Fortunately, in recent years, their numbers have increased. Currently, the handkerchiefs are kept in large numbers in the reserves. In zoos around the world, these creatures number about 60 individuals.

Is Madagascar's handkerchief tamed?

1. At home, you can keep this creature, but it is not recommended. As you already know, these are nocturnal animals, which means that the puppeteer and her master will be, as it were, "not on the way." When the owner sleeps - the animal is awake. And vice versa. If you take into account the fact that in the diet of the rukonozhek must necessarily be not only tropical fruits, but also living insects (and their larvae), then at night to provide your pet with such a "ration" will not be so easy!
2. Do not forget that the Madagascar lapwing is a resident of the southern island of Madagascar, which means that it needs a soft and warm climate, which in the Russian realities will not be so easy.
3. As these creatures do not tolerate daylight, they will constantly need to be kept in the dark in case they suddenly wake up during the daytime. Otherwise, you will scare your pet. In zoos where the ay-ay are kept, they have all the necessary conditions. In home realities, this is unlikely to be done, so it's best not to torment either the animal or yourself.

Interesting Facts

1. It is the Madagascar's robe that was played in the popular cartoon "Madagascar." There her name is Maurice, and she is a wise adviser to the erratic and boastful king of lemurs. In addition, the same ay-ay named Maurice is found in some seasons of the animated series "Penguins of Madagascar".
2. Many scientists and ordinary people who saw the hand-made lap-dogs compare them to a cartoon black cat belonging to the famous witch from the fairy tale of Walt Disney. Some people see in these animals some kind of aliens from outer space. There are also those who believe that the Madagascar auk-ay-ay (photo above) is the real incarnation of evil, concentrated in the Madagascar features, called ay-ay.