Articulated Aye-aye Arm KO-163
$165.00

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From the rainforests of Madagascar, the Aye-Aye is, perhaps, the strangest of the primates. They were first classified as rodents due to their rodent-like incisors. About the size of a house cat, they have very large, bat-like ears, large eyes and a flat face. They lack canines and have large incisors similar to rodents which continue to grow and, like rodents, have enamel only on the front surface. There is a large gap between the incisors and the molars (where most primates have canines). All the digits have claws with the exception of the big toes, which have nails.

Their fingers are mostly long and narrow and the 3rd finger has a special adaptation; it is narrower than the others and can practically swivel in all directions. This 3rd finger is used to tap on trees, while listening with its big ears. It’s looking for a hollow area that may contain insect larvae. When it discovers the larvae, the Aye-Aye carves away the bark with its rodent-like teeth exposing the cavity. It uses its 3rd finger to search for the larvae and, when found, spears it and pulls it out.

We are grateful to The Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology for the loan of this wonderful specimen.