aye-aye
Madagascar's nocturnal primate
An aye-aye is a nocturnal lemur native to Madagascar, notable for its large eyes, bat-like ears, and elongated middle finger used to extract insects from tree bark.
The name mimics the animal's distinctive cry.
The aye-aye is considered a bad omen in Malagasy folklore.
Basal primate subgroup
- lemurMadagascan arboreal primate
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- arborealOf or in trees
- canopyOverhead protective covering
quadrupedal · locomotion · grooming · territorial · primatology · zoology · evolution · divergent
Relating to struck sounds
- echolocationNavigation through reflected sound
- wood-boringDrilling into timber
- insectivorousFeeding on six-legged creatures
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
gnawing · bark · cavity · beetle · coconut · nectar · fungi · seeds
Hand's grasping extension
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- rodent-likeResembling gnawing mammals
- incisorsFront cutting teeth
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
skeletal · sensory · flexible · specialized
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- vulnerableOpen to attack
protected · sanctuary · taboo · persecution · superstition · killed · omen · logging
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- darknessTotal absence of light
- nocturnalityDarkness-hours activity pattern
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
spherical · active · moonlight · crepuscular · emergent · twilight · eyeshine · light-sensitive
Native to one area
- MalagasyMadagascar's native language
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- islandWater-bounded land mass
- biodiversityRange of life forms
habitat · distribution · population · locale · native
prosimian
Basal primate subgroup
canopy · quadrupedal · locomotion · grooming · territorial · primatology · zoology · evolution · divergent · classification
percussive
Relating to struck sounds
- echolocationNavigation through reflected sound
- wood-boringDrilling into timber
- insectivorousFeeding on six-legged creatures
larvae · gnawing · bark · cavity · beetle · coconut · nectar · fungi · seeds · omnivore
finger
Hand's grasping extension
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- rodent-likeResembling gnawing mammals
- incisorsFront cutting teeth
claws · skeletal · sensory · flexible · specialized
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
vulnerable · protected · sanctuary · taboo · persecution · superstition · killed · omen · logging · fragmentation
nighttime
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- darknessTotal absence of light
- nocturnalityDarkness-hours activity pattern
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
nest · spherical · active · moonlight · crepuscular · emergent · twilight · eyeshine · light-sensitive · cryptic
endemic
Native to one area
- MalagasyMadagascar's native language
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- islandWater-bounded land mass
biodiversity · habitat · distribution · population · locale · native
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, becalmed, anchor, seaworthy
- African wildlifeelephant, African elephant, lion, hippo, elephants
- bizarre creaturesaxolotl, blobfish, naked mole rat, platypus, star-nosed mole
- insect eatersanteater, giant anteater, aardvark, pangolin, echidna
- island wildlifemarine iguana, Darwin's finches, Galapagos tortoise, giant tortoise, giant tortoises
- nocturnalowl, bat, nocturnal animals, night owl, raccoon