qwerty Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 (edited) April 18, 2005 — A rare species of lemur, the distinctive-looking and endangered aye-aye, has been bred in captivity for the second time and is now being hand-reared in a British zoo, zookeepers said Friday. Kintana, only eight weeks old, requires around-the-clock attention from his two keepers. His birth was hailed by Bristol Zoo Gardens in the west of England as an important step in the long-term survival of Madagascar's aye-aye, which is classified as an endangered species and present in just 10 zoos around the world. Kintana, who weighs 365 grams (12 ounces), is being fed a diet of soymilk. He will eventually be returned to his mother. "In the first few weeks I was feeding him every two hours through a syringe with a plastic nibble, which meant setting my alarm throughout the night," said Caroline Brown, one of the zookeepers. "At the moment, he can sit in the palm of my hand, but he is growing every day and can hold his head and walk about more confidently," Brown said. The nocturnal aye-aye — with its yellow eyes, big ears, spiky hair and spindly fingers — has long been persecuted in its native Madagascar for its unusual looks and the belief that its presence is an ill omen. Name: Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) Primary Classification: Daubentoniidae (Aye-Aye) Location: Eastern Madagascar Habitat: Tropical and subtropical rainforests, mangroves, dry forests and bamboo thickets. Diet: Mainly wood-boring grubs and insects. Also fruit — especially coconuts — fungi, nectar and seeds. Size: Around 16 inches in length. Description: Black or brown fur with white tips; hair is long and coarse; large, black, spoon-like ears; long, white whiskers; large, yellow eyes ringed in black; black hands with elongated third finger; long, bushy tail. Cool Facts: It is the world's largest nocturnal primate. It uses echolocation to find grubs deep inside trees, branches and logs, tapping its long finger on the bark and listening for hollow spaces inside. Conservation Status: Endangered Major Threat(s): Habitat loss and persecution. What Can I Do?: Visit Madagascar Wildlife Conservation and the Madagascar Fauna Group for information on how you can help. http://beta.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story...gs08xujn_photo0 http://www.animal.discovery.com/news/afp/2...418/ayeaye.html Edited April 23, 2005 by qwerty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nokona Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Cute? More liked a cracked out lemur than cute? How much speed is that thing on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Crazy little bugger, will it grow more hair as it grows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 If I had one of those things, I would be afraid that it would crawl in some crazy places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 Right now, that young one does kinda look like the bastard son of Golem and Yoda though, doesn't he? But yes, he will get more hair and not be quite so homely soon. They're sttill on the ugly side of the lemur family tree though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Looks like something straight from hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 There are a lot of adjectives I'd use to describe that thing, but "cute" AIN'T one of 'em....HA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Well I'm not sleeping tonight after seeing that...Jesus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 QUOTE(The Critic @ Apr 23, 2005 -> 07:51 PM) There are a lot of adjectives I'd use to describe that thing, but "cute" AIN'T one of 'em....HA! Secksy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 QUOTE(qwerty @ Apr 24, 2005 -> 01:58 AM) Secksy? HAWT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 He looks like Joey Cora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Apr 25, 2005 -> 12:59 AM) He looks like Joey Cora LMAO!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 I finally understand the name of Chris Kattan, and why he did that damned "Mr. Peepers" character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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