Philippine Tarsier
Carlito syrichta
Quick answer
The Philippine tarsier is a tiny primate with enormous eyes — each eyeball larger than its brain — fixed in the skull so it rotates its head 180 degrees. Weighing about 150 g, living roughly 12 years, and leaping over 40 times its body length, it hunts insects at night in Philippine forests.
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Philippine Tarsier facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Carlito syrichta |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore — insects, lizards, and small vertebrates |
| Habitat | Lowland and montane forests of the Philippines |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years in the wild |
| Weight | 80–160 g (0.08–0.16 kg); fits in a human hand |
| Top speed | Leaps over 40 body lengths; up to 24 km/h in bursts |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Tarsiidae |
| Genus | Carlito |
Where it lives
Philippine tarsier on Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines — lowland and montane forest fragments.
What is a group of philippine tarsiers called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Philippine Tarsiers is called a troop.
Baby name
A baby Philippine Tarsier is called an infant.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Philippine Tarsiers live in Philippine tarsier on Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines — lowland and montane forest fragments. Preferred habitat includes lowland and montane forests of the philippines. Across Asia, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Philippine Tarsiers typically reach about 0.15 m in length and 0.15 kg in weight, with top speeds near 24 km/h. The wide-eyed nocturnal primate. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Philippine Tarsiers feed on carnivore — insects, lizards, and small vertebrates. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild philippine tarsiers.
Human interest and research
Philippine Tarsiers feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Dig deeper into the Philippine Tarsier
- How Long do Tarsier Live?
Dig deeper into philippine tarsier — how long do tarsier live.
- Tarsier Facts 4
Dig deeper into philippine tarsier — tarsier facts 4.
- Tarsier Facts 5
Dig deeper into philippine tarsier — tarsier facts 5.
- What do Tarsier Eat
Dig deeper into philippine tarsier — what do tarsier eat.
- Where do Tarsier Live?
Dig deeper into philippine tarsier — where do tarsier live.
Explore the Philippine Tarsier
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Range & geography
Did you know? Philippine Tarsier facts
- Tarsiers are tiny primates with enormous eyes fixed in the skull — each eye is bigger than the brain.
- No — they need live insect diets and darkness; most captive tarsiers die quickly.
- Over 40 times their body length between branches.
- Conservation: Near Threatened.
Diet & feeding
Philippine Tarsier feeds primarily as a insects, small vertebrates.
Adaptations
- Tarsiers cannot rotate their eyes and turn their head 180 degrees instead.
- Flash photography and handling in tourist sites harm sensitive tarsiers.
Behaviour & ecology
- Tarsiers cannot rotate their eyes and turn their head 180 degrees instead.
- Flash photography and handling in tourist sites harm sensitive tarsiers.
Communication
- Philippine Tarsier uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
- Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.
Habitat & range
Philippine forests
Ecological role
Philippine Tarsier plays a recognised ecological role in philippine forests.
Frequently asked questions about the Philippine Tarsier
Where do philippine tarsiers live?
Philippine tarsier on Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the Philippines — lowland and montane forest fragments.
What do philippine tarsiers eat?
Carnivore — insects, lizards, and small vertebrates.
How long do philippine tarsiers live?
About 12 years in the wild on average.
Are philippine tarsiers endangered?
IUCN status: Near Threatened.
What is a group of philippine tarsiers called?
A group of Philippine Tarsiers is called a troop.
What is a baby philippine tarsier called?
A baby Philippine Tarsier is called an infant.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Philippine Tarsier:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Near Threatened) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Carlito syrichta.
- IUCN Red List — Carlito syrichta.
Conservation status (Near Threatened) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Carlito syrichta. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
