Galago - Galago (English spelling)

A general term for animals belonging to the subfamily Galagoinae, family Lorisidae, order Primates, class Mammalia. Also known as Galago or Bush Baby. Prosimians of this subfamily are classified into one genus and six species, but some believe that Galago elegantulus should be classified as a separate genus, Euoticus . They are found in most of sub-Saharan Africa (except the southern part), with species that live mainly in rainforest areas (such as G. alleni ) and species that live in sparse forest areas (such as G. crassicaudatus ). They have large eyes and ears, and a long, bushy tail. The smallest, the pygmy galago G. demidovii , has a head and body length of about 12 cm and a tail length of about 17 cm, while the largest, the giant galago, has a head and body length of 30-37 cm and a tail length of 40-47 cm. Their hind legs are longer than their forelimbs, and they have a hook on the second digit of their hind legs and flat claws on the other digits. It is nocturnal and has excellent jumping ability, flying actively between trees.

They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruit, and resin, and usually act alone, but males move around to cover the female's territory. During the day, they sleep in nests made from leaves or in tree hollows, but some species (such as the Senegalensis galago) have the habit of 2-6 individuals living together in one hole.

[Shigeo Uehara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)綱霊長目ロリス科ガラゴ亜科に属する動物の総称。別名ギャラゴまたはブッシュベービー。この亜科の原猿は1属6種に分類されるが、ハリヅメガラゴGalago elegantulusを別属Euoticusにする見解もある。サハラ砂漠以南のアフリカの大部分（南部を除く）に分布し、多雨林地帯を中心に生息する種（アレンガラゴG. alleniなど）と、疎開林地帯にすむ種（オオガラゴG. crassicaudatusなど）がある。目と耳介が大きく、尾はふさふさとして長い。最小のコビトガラゴG. demidoviiで頭胴長約12センチメートル、尾長約17センチメートル、最大のオオガラゴは頭胴長30～37センチメートル、尾長40～47センチメートル。前肢より後肢が長く、後肢第2指に鉤(かぎ)づめが、ほかの指には平づめがある。夜行性で跳躍力が優れ、樹間を活発に飛び回る。歯式は

で36本。雑食性で、昆虫、果実、樹脂などを食べ、通常は単独行動をするが、雄は雌の行動域を覆うように動く。昼間は木の葉などでつくった巣や、木のうろの中で眠るが、一つ穴に2～6頭がいっしょになる習性をもつもの（ショウガラゴG. senegalensisなど）もある。

［上原重男］

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