Aye-aye

Daubentonia madagascariensis

Irish Name: Aidhe-aidhe
ICUN Status: Endangered

Aye-ayes are a small nocturnal species of lemur that can only be found in the wild in Madagascar. They are covered in black or brown fur and have large yellow eyes which help them see in the dark. They are known for their long, thin middle finger which they use to search for food. They have large, sensitive ears that help them detect prey and a long, bushy tail which allows them to balance as they travel along tree branches.

Aye-aye

Daubentonia madagascariensis

Irish Name: Aidhe-aidhe
ICUN Status: Endangered

Aye-ayes are a small nocturnal species of lemur that can only be found in the wild in Madagascar. They are covered in black or brown fur and have large yellow eyes which help them see in the dark. They are known for their long, thin middle finger which they use to search for food. They have large, sensitive ears that help them detect prey and a long, bushy tail which allows them to balance as they travel along tree branches.

General Information

Where do they live (Natural habitat)?

In the wild, aye-ayes are found in only one place in the world: tropical and subtropical forests in Madagascar.

How long do they live?

The lifespan of the aye-aye in the wild is currently unknown. However, they can live to approximately 20 years in zoos.

What do they eat?

The aye-aye is an omnivore, mainly feeding on insects, seeds and fruits.

Closest related species / sister species

Aye-ayes are a species of lemur and are therefore closely related to other lemur species. With their unique features such as their rat-like teeth and squirrel-like tail, aye-ayes may resemble a rodent, but they are actually primates – and their relatives includes apes and humans!

Group name

They are usually solitary (live alone). Therefore, there is currently no name for a group.

Zoo location

Beside Himalayan Hills and Sea Lion Cove

Closest related species / sister species

Aye-ayes are a species of lemur and are therefore closely related to other lemur species. With their unique features such as their rat-like teeth and squirrel-like tail, aye-ayes may resemble a rodent, but they are actually primates – and their relatives includes apes and humans!

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Primates

Fun Facts

Nest sleepers

Aye-ayes build ball-like nests in treetops from leaves and branches, in which they curl up and sleep during the day

Grasping toes!

Aye-ayes have opposable (grasping) big toes on their feet that they use to grab onto and hang down from tree branches.

Percussive foraging

Aye-ayes locate insects by tapping on a tree branch with their long middle fingers. They then use these fingers to dig out insects. This is called percussive foraging. They also use this finger to dig the pulp out of fruit.

Mega aye-aye

An extinct form of the aye-aye (Daubentonia robusta) once lived in southwest Madagascar. It likely weighed over 11 kg, which is three to five times what the existing aye-aye species weighs. It probably co-existed with early humans.

Malagasy woodpeckers

Aye-ayes are one of the most distinctive mammals on earth due to their unusual appearance. In Madagascar they are considered to fill the ecological niche of woodpeckers which are absent from Madagascar.

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Family Life

The aye-aye is usually solitary (lives alone). However, recent evidence has shown that some aye-ayes forage for food alongside each other and establish relationships in pairs or groups of individuals, meaning they may be more social than previously thought. There is no fixed breeding season, and females will mate with multiple partners. Males do not take care of the infants. Infants stay with their mothers for up to two years before becoming independent.

Baby name

Infant

Gestation (pregnancy) period

158-172 days

Number of young at birth

One

Weight at birth

90-140 g

Age at maturity

8-36 months

Adult size

Approximately 30-40 cm long body with a 45-55 cm long bushy tail. They weigh 2.3-2.7 kg.

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Conservation

Endangered

Aye-ayes are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Current population estimate

Since aye-ayes are nocturnal (mainly active at night) and have huge home ranges, it can be difficult for scientists to measure their population size. However, their population is believed to have declined by approximately 50% over the past 30-40 years.

Threats

The main threat to aye-ayes is the deforestation of forests in Madagascar for food, timber and charcoal production. Another threat is poaching (illegal hunting) because of the belief that aye-ayes bring bad luck or because they can harm local farmers’ crops. They are also sometimes hunted as food.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

Dublin Zoo has been supporting The Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL) since 2022. AEECL is a group of 30 European zoos that have joined forces to support community-driven lemur conservation in and around the Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park in northwest Madagascar. The conservation work they carry out includes sponsoring teachers and students, reforestation programmes and community projects.

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FAQs

  • Where do aye-ayes live?

    In the wild, aye-ayes are found in only one place in the world: tropical and subtropical forests in Madagascar.

  • How long do aye-ayes live?

    The lifespan of aye-ayes in the wild is currently unknown. However, they can live to approximately 20 years in zoos.

  • What do aye-ayes eat?

    The aye-aye is an omnivore, mainly feeding on insects, seeds and fruits.

  • Why are aye-ayes endangered?

    The main threat to aye-ayes is the deforestation of forests in Madagascar for food, timber and charcoal production. Another threat is poaching (illegal hunting) because of the belief that aye-ayes bring bad luck or because they can harm local farmers’ crops. They are also sometimes hunted as food.

  • Is an aye-aye a lemur?

    Aye-ayes are a species of lemur. They are the only member of the family Daubentoniidae.

  • How many aye-ayes are left in the world?

    Since aye-ayes are nocturnal and have huge home ranges, it can be difficult for scientists to measure their population size. However, their population is believed to have declined by approximately 50% over the past 30-40 years.

  • What is a group of aye-ayes called?

    They are usually solitary (live alone). Therefore, there is currently no name for a group.

  • What size is an aye-aye?

    Approximately 30-40 cm long body with 45-55 cm long bushy tail. They weigh 2.3-2.7 kg.

  • What is a baby aye-aye called?

    An infant.

  • Why does an aye-aye have a long third finger?

    The aye-aye’s long, thin middle finger is used to search for food. They tap on bark to locate insects and once they find their feast, they pull away the bark using their teeth and use their middle finger to pull insects out. This is called percussive foraging.

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