Biological Journal Of The Linnean Society, vol 97, no. " Was The Oligo-Miocene Australian Metatherian Yalkaparidon A ‘Mammalian Woodpecker’?". " The Nose Knows | UNC Charlotte Urban Institute | UNC Charlotte". " Nasalis Larvatus (Proboscis Monkey)." Animal Diversity Web. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1038/s42005-0 " Large Male Proboscis Monkeys Have Larger Noses But Smaller Canines". " Naked Mole-Rat." Smithsonian's National Zoo. " IUCN Red List Of Threatened Species: Gymnogyps Californianus". California Department Of Fish And Wildlife. In fact, it has been part of the list of 25 most endangered primates since 2016. The aye-aye is considered endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss and hunting. When it knows it is above an insect tunnel, it tears off chunks of the tree with its massive teeth so it can uncover the tunnel and feast on the insects within. It cups its huge ear forward, listening for the echoes coming from the tree. As it walks along a branch, the aye-aye taps it with its skeletal middle finger. This elusive primate uses percussive foraging to find its food. They are also nocturnal, only coming out at night.Īdditionally, aye-ayes have incisors that continually grow, which is unusual for primates, and extremely large ears. This allows them to fill a biological niche, much like a woodpecker might. This gremlin-looking creature, called an aye-aye, is a primate found only in Madagascar.Īye-ayes have a number of unusual traits, including long, bony, witch-like middle fingers that they use to pry insects and grubs from tree trunks. Interestingly, naked mole-rats are also among the longest living of all rodents given their size-they can live for nearly 30 years.
ANIMALS THAT ARE SCAVENGERS SKIN
Their highly social behavior might serve multiple purposes, as they need to huddle together to stay warm-their fur-less, paper-thin skin doesn't exactly help them retain body heat. These wrinkly rodents live in large groups (average 70 members, but up to 295 have been recorded) and have been known to communicate in colony-specific dialects.
ANIMALS THAT ARE SCAVENGERS PLUS
There are about 100 fine hairs on their bodies that act like whiskers to help them feel what's around them, plus hairs between their toes to help them move soil behind them when they are making tunnels. Also, contrary to their name, they actually do have some hair. Surprisingly, naked mole-rats are more closely related to porcupines, chinchillas, and guinea pigs than they are to either moles or rats. Their nearly hairless bodies are also an adaptation for their underground environment. These animals live underground in intricate burrow systems and have little need for good eyesight. It's certainly helpful that they are nearly blind. It must be difficult to maintain a vibrant self-image if you're a bald rodent, but it's not an issue for the naked mole-rat.