Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | Greater Galago |
| Origin | Africa, primarily found in wooded habitats across sub-Saharan regions. |
| Size | Medium-sized; adults typically range from 7 to 15 inches (18-38 cm) in length, not including their long tail, which can be equally as long. |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Coat | Soft, dense fur that varies in color from grey to brown, often with lighter underparts. |
| Temperament | nocturnal and solitary |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Training Difficulty | Moderately difficult |
| Health Issues | Prone to dental problems and obesity if not provided with a proper diet and exercise. |
| Grooming Needs | Minimal grooming required |
| Price | Typically expensive due to their rarity. |
Introduction: Greater Galago
The Greater Galago, or Thick-tailed Bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii) is a curious and rather unusual type of an exotic pet. Due to their big eyes and ‘incredible’ flow, they attract the attention of exotic animal lovers. In this article, readers have a detailed section on the Life Span, origin, appearance of Greater Galago, temperament, exercise requirement, coat care and grooming, health issues, training and socialization.
History and Origin
As for animals, there are Greater Galagos that are endemic to the forests of East Africa starting from Kenya to Tanzania. These potters are one of the primates that operate during the night duration, and their origin traces back to millions of years . They also live in a variety of environments from the sea-shore forests to the inland forests. Their ability to live in almost any environment due to flexible and nocturnal nature have made them prerequisite, but currently they are being bred and sold as exotic pets due to their outstanding physical features.
Physical Appearance
Greater Galagos are small to medium build primates, and the adults’ body weight ranges from 1 to 3 kgs. ranging from 2 to 3 pounds body size and about 12 to 15 inches in body length not including the large furry scaly looking tails that are almost the size of the body. These animals possess huge bright eye-sight for seeing at night, moreover, ears which can move individually for hearing the lowest sound. They have thick body fur which is wooly, having shades of gray to brown, making them invisible in the natural environment.
Temperament and Personality
Greater Galagos are one of the most proficiently and energetically active nocturnal primates. They are very active particularly at night and make several calls, clicks, and chirps that may be musical to other people’s ears. Thus, it is found that they are very loyal to their human attachments and yet have many of the traits of a wild animal. The would be owners should be willing to take in an animal that is somewhat aloof and at times may not even solicit attention.
Exercise and Activity Needs
The Greater Galagos are mainly active at night being part of the family of nocturnal animals. They need sufficient floor area to leap, scramble or run and play in general. Housing can be a big multi-tiered structure where branches, ropes and numerous other related objects are placed to help the stimulation of the animals. Apart from the enclosures, the animals need to be taken out to a closely monitored playground, which will help prove exercise and play to avoid boredom as well.
Grooming
Thus, it can be summarized that Greater Galagos are fairly easy to look after when it comes to grooming. They are clean animals and will groom themselves most of the time. Though, they only require occasional brushing to deal with their thick coats and drop a lot of hair. It is also vital that they get a check of their ears, their nails and even their teeth so as to check for any signs of infection or overgrowth.
Health and Common Concerns
Relative to other Greater Galagos, some of them can be vulnerable to several health complications assuming they do not receive proper care. They need adequate nutrition and need to feed their gorillas with fruits, insects, and special primate foods. The main diseases or health issues which people encounter are overweight, dental, and nutrient deficiencies. Daily examination of the animals is very important and it is advised to use the services of an exotic animal vet.
Training and Socialization
It can be quite strenuous to train a Greater Galago because they are rather wild and are mostly active during the night. Political staff management strategies should be more positive including the use of positive reinforcement, especially for issues to do with food rewards and verbal encouragement. Socialization from a young age must be done to enable them to settle for human interaction and thus be free from stress. They are slow to learn and may need some time before they can respond to training hence patience is needed during training.
Conclusion
Actually, if properly taken care of and given enough attention, a Greater Galago imported as an exotic pet can be very advantageous to the owner. They are cute creatures that like to play; they have interesting nocturnal habits which make it a delight to be with them. However, people, who intend to have a dog, have to be ready to satisfy the eventual needs, offer a lot of space and interesting events, and look after them. If the circumstances are ideal and a lot of attention and affection is showered upon these charming creatures, a Greater Galago could be a lively addition to one’s home.
Image Source: Getty Images
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