1. Aye-Aye

• Daubentonia madagascariensis

2. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Daubentoniidae Genus: Daubentonia Species: D. madascariensis 3. Habitat

Aye-Ayes live primarily on the east coast of Madagascar. Its natural habitat is the rainforest of deciduous forest. However, due to deforestation, many now live in cultivated areas.

4. Physical Characteristics

Weighs about 2.5 kilograms

5. Black or dark brown fur covered by white guard hairs at the neck 6. Bushy tail 7. Beady eyes

Opposable thumbs

8. Middle finger is extremely long-sometimes three times longer than its other fingers 9. Large incisors that grow continuously 10. Diet

Nuts

11. Grubs 12. Fruits 13. Nectar 14. Seeds 15. Fungi 16. Wood bearing beetle larvae 17. Ayes ayes are classified as omnivores, because they eat both vegetation and insects. 18. Social Interaction

Territorial animals-males claim about 80 acres of land, females 20.

19. Not monogamous-competition for mates can turn violent 20. Primary source of interaction occurs between mother and child 21. Did you know?

Aye-ayes are the only primates thought to use echolocation to find prey.

22. Did you know?

Aye ayes will steal coconuts, mangoes, sugar cane, lychees and eggs from villages/plantations, especially when they need the food.

23. Did you know?

Aye ayes are feared by many, especially the natives. Many legends claim that they bring evil into a village. The Malagasy legend say that they are symbols of death. The Sakalava legend claims that they sneak into homes and murder people using their long middle fingers to puncture the aorta.