1. Paternal Care: Tarsier fathers primarily take on the responsibility of caring for their offspring. After the mother gives birth, the father carries the newborn in his mouth and transfers it to various secluded locations called "nests" or "sleeping sites" to ensure safety and protection. The mother remains in the vicinity but shows relatively less involvement in direct caregiving initially.
2. Nurturing Behavior: The father tarsier assumes the nurturing role, providing continuous care for the young. He carries the infant, groom its fur, cleans its face and body, and gently massages it to stimulate comfort and bonding. The infant tarsier clings tightly to the father's fur as he moves around, maintaining close contact and ensuring constant physical care.
3. Secluded Nests: Tarsier fathers build small nests or select sheltered spots high in trees or on vines, offering protection and concealment from predators. They move their young to new locations frequently, preventing predators from tracking down their hiding spots. Each day, they leave their infants in a new nest to rest while the father engages in foraging for food.
4. Nighttime Activity: Tarsiers are nocturnal animals, primarily active at night. Once the sun goes down, the father tarsier embarks on insect-hunting expeditions to provide food for both himself and his offspring.
5. Gradual Independence: As the tarsier young matures, the father gradually introduces it to foraging and hunting techniques. He allows the young to accompany him on nighttime excursions, teaching it how to capture prey and navigate their surroundings. This behavior helps ensure that the offspring develops the necessary skills for independent survival.
6. Weaning and Self-Reliance: At around 4-5 months of age, tarsiers begin the weaning process. The mother and father provide less milk, encouraging the young to start feeding on insects. During this period, they continue to watch over the young tarsier, but as it gains experience and self-reliance, it becomes increasingly independent.
7. Social Interaction: Tarsiers maintain social groups throughout their lives. As the young tarsier grows older and becomes more independent, it joins social groups called "troops" or "clans," engaging in cooperative behaviors like grooming and shared territorial defense.
Tarsier parental care is characterized by active paternal involvement, with the father playing a crucial role in ensuring the survival and well-being of the offspring. This parenting behavior demonstrates their remarkable adaptations and social structures within their natural forest habitats.