# aye-aye (*Daubentonia madagascariensis*) The aye-aye is a special kind of lemur found only in Madagascar. It has big eyes and a long, thin finger that helps it find food in trees. Aye-ayes are nocturnal, which means they are awake at night! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![aye-aye](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aye-aye_%28Daubentonia_madagascariensis%29%252C_Tsimbazaza_Zoo%252C_Madagascar_%283897947810%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aye-aye_%28Daubentonia_madagascariensis%29%252C_Tsimbazaza_Zoo%252C_Madagascar_%283897947810%29.jpg) ## Appearance The aye-aye has shaggy, dark brown to black fur, bright orange-yellow eyes, and large, leathery ears. Its most distinct feature is an extremely long, slender middle finger, different from its other digits. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Daubentoniidae - **Genus:** Daubentonia ## Interesting facts - Aye-ayes build elaborate, spherical nests high in trees for sleeping during the day. - It's the only primate with continuously growing incisors, just like a rodent! - Local folklore sometimes sees the aye-aye as a bad omen, leading to fear. - Their unique middle finger is like a personal tool, used for tapping and scooping! ## Special abilities - **Sonar Searcher:** The aye-aye can tap trees with its long finger to listen for hidden insect larvae because of its acute hearing. - **Built-in Nutcracker:** Aye-ayes have strong, continuously growing incisors that help them gnaw through tough nuts and bark to find food. - **Agile Climber:** The aye-aye has powerful hands and feet with sharp claws and opposable big toes that help them grip branches tightly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 36-44 cm - **Weight:** 2-3 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-23 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 158-172 days ## Diet & Feeding This nocturnal omnivore primarily feasts on wood-boring insect larvae, but also enjoys nuts, fruits, and nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Insect larvae, Coconuts, Nectar, Fruits, Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Fossa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fossa) (*Cryptoprocta ferox*) — Main predator in Madagascar's forests. - **Eaten by:** Madagascar Ground Boa (*Acrantophis madagascariensis*) — Constricts young or unwary aye-ayes in their habitat. - **Eats:** Longhorn Beetle (*Rhytidodera simulans*) — Extracts grubs from wood using its specialized finger. - **Eats:** Hazongondro Tree (*Canarium madagascariense*) — Cracks open hard nuts and fruits for their nutritious insides. - **Eats:** Traveller's Palm (*Ravenala madagascariensis*) — Consumes nectar from its flowers, also acting as a pollinator. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Aye-ayes are shy and prefer to be left alone in their homes. Always watch animals from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify aye-aye? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is aye-aye? 36-44 cm ### How much does aye-aye weigh? 2-3 kg ### How long does aye-aye live? 10-23 years ### How fast can aye-aye move? 10 km/h ### What does aye-aye eat? This nocturnal omnivore primarily feasts on wood-boring insect larvae, but also enjoys nuts, fruits, and nectar. ### Where is aye-aye usually found? Forests ### How does aye-aye hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Aye-aye: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aye-aye)