The image of a Philippine Tarsier often evokes a sense of wonder and cuteness. With their enormous eyes and tiny bodies, it’s easy to see why some might be captivated by these miniature primates. Walking through lush forests, the possibility of encountering one of these elusive creatures can be a magical thought. This naturally leads to the question: Can You Have A Tarsier As A Pet? The answer, explored in detail below, is crucial for the well-being and conservation of these fascinating animals.
What Makes Tarsiers Unique and Vulnerable?
The Philippine Tarsier is indeed one of the smallest primates on Earth, measuring only about 85 to 160 mm in length. These nocturnal animals are primarily found in the islands of Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao in the Philippines. Historically, and unfortunately even today, this small size and endearing appearance have led to them being kept as pets. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of locals keeping them in cages, hoping to attract tourists for photo opportunities.
One anecdote shared by a local driver illustrates this point. He proudly mentioned owning a tarsier, recalling how his children enjoyed playing with it and how he would bring tourists home to see and photograph the animal. He recounted this story with sadness, as his pet tarsier had died, preventing him from showing it to us. This highlights a tragic misunderstanding about these animals’ needs in captivity.
The Devastating Truth: Tarsiers and Captivity
The story of the driver’s deceased pet tarsier leads to a critical question: why did it die? The answer, learned at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, is heartbreaking. Tarsiers are incredibly sensitive creatures who are prone to committing suicide when kept in captivity. They are easily traumatized by loud noises and physical contact. This is why silence is paramount when observing them in their natural habitat, and touching them is strictly discouraged.
Imagine confining a highly sensitive animal to a cage, exposed to unfamiliar noises and handling. The stress for a tarsier is comparable to the distress a dog would experience if caged day and night without exercise or social interaction. While a dog might become depressed or aggressive, a tarsier’s reaction to such stress is even more extreme. They become deeply depressed to the point of intentionally ending their own lives, unable to cope with captive conditions.
Why Tarsiers Are Unsuitable as Pets: Stress, Diet, and Habitat
Several factors contribute to why tarsiers are unequivocally unsuitable as pets:
Extreme Stress Sensitivity
As mentioned, tarsiers are incredibly sensitive to stress. Household environments, with their unpredictable noises, human activity, and confinement, are profoundly stressful for these wild animals. This stress dramatically shortens their lifespan in captivity, often leading to death within days or a few years, compared to their potential 20-25 years in the wild.
Specialized Dietary Needs
Tarsiers are insectivores, requiring a diet of live insects. They need to consume a significant amount, about one-tenth of their body weight, daily to remain healthy. Providing a constant supply of live insects in the right quantity and variety is exceptionally challenging for pet owners. This often results in malnutrition and illness in captive tarsiers.
Specific Habitat Requirements
Tarsiers naturally inhabit bamboo forests and similar environments. Bamboo leaves serve a dual purpose for them, providing shelter from rain and collecting rainwater for drinking and cooling. Replicating this specific habitat in a domestic setting is virtually impossible. The lack of a suitable environment further contributes to their stress and decline in captivity.
Conservation and Ethical Observation: Alternatives to Pet Ownership
Given their vulnerability and specific needs, it’s clear that tarsiers should never be kept as pets. Instead of considering ownership, focus should be on their conservation and ethical ways to appreciate these animals in their natural habitat.
Organizations like the Philippine Tarsier Foundation and sanctuaries such as the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, play a vital role in protecting tarsiers. These sanctuaries aim to preserve the species and their habitat, providing a safe environment free from predators (including humans seeking pets). While the ethical practices of some sanctuaries may be debated, their core mission of conservation is crucial.
Observing tarsiers responsibly in the wild or at reputable sanctuaries, where their well-being is prioritized, is the ethical approach. This means maintaining silence, avoiding any physical contact, and respecting their space. Supporting conservation efforts and promoting ethical wildlife tourism are far more valuable contributions than attempting to keep a tarsier as a pet.
Conclusion: Respecting Tarsiers in the Wild
In conclusion, while the allure of owning such a unique and seemingly cuddly creature like a tarsier might be understandable, the reality is starkly different. Tarsiers are not meant to be pets. Their delicate nature, specialized needs, and extreme sensitivity to stress make captivity detrimental to their health and survival. Instead of confinement, tarsiers deserve our respect and protection in their natural habitat. By understanding their vulnerability and supporting conservation efforts, we can ensure these incredible primates continue to thrive in the wild for generations to come.
Have you had any experiences observing tarsiers in the wild or at a sanctuary? Share your thoughts and contribute to the conversation about responsible wildlife interactions below.
