How About A Bushbaby?

Galagos /ɡəˈleɪɡoʊz/, also known as bushbabies, bush babies, or nagapies, are small, nocturnal primates native to continental Africa.  This species is a very small primate which has an average size of approximately 5 inches (13 cm).

The bush baby has long, fuzzy wool-like fur which can be either a shade of silvery gray or brown. Their ears are very large with four ridges which allow them to bend back easily and wrinkle up. They also have characteristically large eyes. Other interesting characteristics of this species include its advanced hearing, thickened pads on its toes to allow it to cling and climb safely and also its second tongue. This second tongue is situated below their normal tongue and is used specifically in conjunction with their front teeth for grooming.

The bush baby is especially well known for its amazing jumping abilities. In fact, this species can jump up to 6.6 feet (2 m) in the air

Housing:

The bigger the cage the better.

If possible, create an outdoor primate enclosure with a heated indoor cage (If heat is needed).

A cage can never be to secure, don’t underestimate primates, they are strong and intelligent.

When building your primate enclosure, keep safety in mind. Primates are very curious animals, and safety is important.

A double entry door is needed in the enclosure as well.

Many primates show signs of boredom in captivity, therefore it’s very important that you change their environment from time to time.  Try to use a lot of different items in their home and switching it up now and then.

Here a few suggestions:

Outdoor

Branches

Leaves or grass floors

Trees and bushes

Swings

Platforms

Rocks

Pond

Indoor

Branches

Peat, sawdust, straw, dried leaves and wood chip floors

Tree trunk

Swings

Tires

Wooden nest box

Coconut shells

Mirrors (unbreakable)

Ladders

Plastic pipes

Baby toys

Dog toys

You must clean indoor cages every week. Droppings and excess food should be removed daily.  

Some primates are known to scent mark their environment, for these monkeys it’s very important that you do not sterilize their cage at once. It is best to clean the nest box and the cage at different times.  Use a mild disinfectant to clean their cage.

When building an outdoor cage don’t forget to provide some shade in the summertime and protection from wind and rain such as covering a part of the cage with a roof or solid walled area. Never use chicken wire for a cage. Depending on the specie use stainless steel welded wire or chain link.  Don’t forget that primates are very strong animals so a chain link of approximately 12 gauge strength should be used.  A safety entrance to prevent primates from escaping is a must.

Not only the width and length of a cage is important but also the height of the cage can be very important.  Even small species prefer higher cages, this makes them feel more secure, therefore it’s also very important that the next box is placed as high as possible.  The minimum height of a cage for most species is about 6 feet high (1.80m).

Most primates need unfiltered sunlight (vitamin D3) for their skeletal development, so if you don’t have an outdoor cage maybe it’s more than a good idea to use Vita-Lites (replicate natural sunlight).

The choice of floor type is also very important. You can use a drop tray, peat, sawdust, straw, dried leaves or wood chip floors for smaller cages.  Larger cages are probably better off with cement floors, floors covered with linoleum, kitchen or bathroom floors.  Some people raise their cage high enough from the ground (wire bottoms) for easy raking cleanup underneath.  This will also prevent a monkey from reaching for food or other items fallen onto the soil.

When creating a natural environment with lots of plants, don’t forget to use non-toxic plants.  

Here are a few examples of non-toxic plants: bamboo, rubber tree, willows, palm trees, elm, fig, hibiscus, pine, elder and silverberry.

Toxic plants like American oak tree, cedar, mistletoe and pencil tree should never be used.

Don’t forget to use branches in your in- and/or outdoor cage. Natural gum is very rich in vitamin D and Calcium and therefore recommended for most primates.  However, beware in spring when the gum is young, it may cause intestine problems.

Diet

In the wild bushbabies are primarily insectivorous, but they also eat Acacia gum, fruit, flowers, eggs, seeds and nectar. 

The recommended diet for bushbabies should consist of:

2-5% Eggs

5-10% Crickets/Mealworms

15-20% Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

75-80% Hi Pro Monkey/Cat Chow

A varied diet is very important to avoid boredom and loss of appetite.

You can use commercial primate diet supplemented with:

insects like mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers

chopped fruit like mango and apple

nuts

yoghurt

cat food

Arabic gum

vitamin supplements

and don’t forget:  Fresh water every day at all times.