A tarsier

About the Tarsier

Tarsiers are tiny, tree-dwelling primates found in Southeast Asia. They are famous for their giant eyes, super-powered jumping skills, and unique carnivorous diet.

Extreme Body Parts

Giant Eyes: Each eyeball is as big as the entire brain.
Fixed Gazes: Their eyes cannot move in their sockets. They must turn their heads instead.
Head Swivels: They can turn their heads 180 degrees in both directions.
Ankle Bones: They get their name from long tarsal (ankle) bones that act like springs.

Super Hunter Skills

Meat Only: They are the only primates that eat a completely carnivorous diet. They eat insects, lizards, frogs, and small birds.
Huge Leaps: They can jump over 5 meters (16 feet) in one bound. That is 40 times their body length.
Silent Stalker: They catch flying bugs and birds right out of the air.

Life in the Wild

Night Shift: They are strictly nocturnal animals and sleep during the day.
Ancient Line: They have existed for over 50 million years.
Stressed Easily: They do not survive well in cages and can hurt themselves if scared by loud noises.

Read more about their biology and conservation on Wikipedia's Tarsier page.

Tarsier Preservation Society