Daubentonia madagascariensis

(Gmelin, 1788)

Vernacular names

English : Aye-aye
French : Aye-aye

Classification

Class : Mammalia
Order : Primata
Family : Daubentoniidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

Body length to 37 cm, tail length to 53 cm and weight up to 2.6 kg. Females usually slightly smaller than males. Unmistakable. Round head with long ears, very long and slender fingers and toes, long bushy tail. Coloration grayish.

Range and habitat

The species is endemic to Madagascar and can be found in the eastern, northern and central-western parts of the Island. Lives in all kinds of forests, sometimes cultivated areas and swamps, up to 1875 m.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This species is endangered because of illegal hunting and habitat destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : EEP in Europe