Mutual Relationships of Animals in the Wild

[Vanessa]

I saw this on Facebook, and thought I would share it here once I read the background information.

The tarsiers will travel on the antlers of the deer. They are able to see danger from farther away because they are elevated above the deers sights. When danger approaches, the tarsiers will tap the deer on the head and it will run in the opposite direction.
The deer benefits from its scouts, and the tarsiers benefit because the deer move them away from danger faster than they could move themselves.

As well as being cool, this picture brings me sadness. In the last couple of years, tarsiers have become one of the more popular 'exotic' pets that people are collecting. After seeing this photo, I couldn't help but feel so sorry for those tarsiers that are not able to live the life that they are designed to live and are instead caged in someones house as a novelty.

 

[Moon]

What an amazing relationship they have.

 

[Godmother]

Where do tarsiers live? It really is a shame to think of them cooped up in a cage. On my recent holiday I saw several birds in tiny cages, and my heart ached for them.

 

[SQ]

Beautiful pic!
We need laws that make it illegal to own, sell and breed wild and captive bred wild animals.

 

[Vanessa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Tarsier

I didn't realize that they are primates. They sure are cute, but in a creepy, ugly kinda way.

From the links above...

Tarsiers have never formed successful breeding colonies in captivity, and when caged, tarsiers have been known to injure and even kill themselves because of the stress.

The report said tarsiers suffer stress every time they are exposed to humans. It added that the provincial government wanted tarsiers to remain in their natural habitat.

 

[RatsForever]

What a great relationship. Some humans could learn from them.