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Common name: Grant's Bush Baby
Scientific name: Galago granti

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Galago
Species: G. granti

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The common name to Galago granti is the Grant’s Bush baby. Scientists first described it in 1996, so it is a fairly new animal. It got its name for its shrill cries that resemble a baby crying. Its population is decreasing mainly because of charcoal manufacturers, and logging. It is currently on the Top 25 Most Endangered Lists.

The Grant’s bush baby is very small, about the size of squirrel. It has a thick, bushy tail (longer than the length of the head and body combined), and bat-like ears that help them track their prey in the dark. The bush baby weighs about 5-10 ounces, and is 7-8 inches when standing straight up. Its lifespan is around 14 years.

The Galago granti is an omnivore, so its diet consists of 70% mixture of insects, nectar, leaves, fruits, and tree gums. Its main predator are eagles, owls, genets, and, large snakes.

The bush baby shares their habitats with monkeys. You can find the bush baby throughout East Africa, or in the woodlands in sub- Saharan Africa. They also do not live anywhere higher than 6,500 feet in altitude. They like to live in hollow trees where there is little grass around, as a precaution against wildfire.

Some interesting facts about the Grant’s Bush baby are that they do the same job as a bee; they transfer pollen from flower to flower, as they feed. Another interesting fact is that Bush baby’s can jump up to 20 feet because of their long, powerful legs.

In conclusion, this unique animal lives in Africa and feeds on insects. The bush baby is interesting but simple, and it continues everyday to increase on the Top 25 Most Endangered Lists and cannot do anything to stop it. But other than that, the bush baby is a lovable caring animal.

Author: Allyson D
Published: Feb. 9, 2011

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