Bush babies, also known as galagos, are small nocturnal primates found in Africa. With their large eyes and ears, bush babies have an adorable appearance that makes many want to keep them as pets. But are these wild animals safe to have around humans? Let’s take a closer look.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Bush babies can be dangerous pets. While they look cute, they are still wild animals with sharp teeth and claws. Bush babies will bite and scratch, especially when stressed, and can transmit diseases.
It’s best to avoid keeping them as pets.
Bush Baby Characteristics
Physical Features
Bush babies, also known as galagos, are small nocturnal primates native to continental Africa. They have large eyes adapted for night vision, bat-like ears, and strong hind limbs that allow them to leap distances up to 20 feet between branches.
Their bodies are covered in thick fur that ranges in color from gray, brown, gold, or reddish-brown. Bush babies typically weigh between 5 to 14 ounces and measure around 6 to 10 inches in length with tails as long as their bodies.
Some key physical features of bush babies include:
- Large, round eyes with excellent night vision
- Pointy muzzle with moist nose for excellent sense of smell
- Big bat-like ears for acute hearing
- Long, bushy tail for balance while leaping
- Needle-sharp teeth and claws for gripping branches
- Powerful hind legs that allow impressive vertical leaps
- Soft, wooly fur that serves as camouflage in trees
- Grasping hands and feet with opposable thumbs and big toes
Some species also have striking markings on their faces, such as large patches of white fur around their eyes.
Behavior
Bush babies are energetic and agile creatures that live in forests and woodlands. They are primarily herbivores, feeding on trees gums, sap, fruits, insects, eggs, and even small birds. Bush babies are social animals that interact with chattering and clicking sounds.
They often groom and play together.
Here are some interesting bush baby behaviors:
- Nocturnal habits – Bush babies sleep in nests during the day and are active at night.
- Tree-dwelling – Excellent climbers and leapers, they rarely descend to the ground.
- Territorial – They mark their territory with urine and defend it aggressively.
- Vocalizations – Loud alarm calls, soft chattering during grooming, clicking sounds in communication.
- Grooming – They carefully groom each other’s fur for up to an hour a day.
- Playing – Bush babies chase, wrestle, and play with each other, especially young ones.
While curious and playful, bush babies can deliver a nasty bite if they feel threatened. But overall, they tend to avoid danger by staying high up in treetops and fleeing rapidly through the forest canopy at the first sign of predators like large snakes.
Bush Baby Bites and Scratches
Sharp Teeth and Claws
Bush babies may look cute, but they have sharp teeth and claws that can inflict painful bites and scratches. Their teeth are adapted for eating insects, fruit, tree gum, and other small prey. The large, razor-sharp front teeth are used to capture and kill prey.
The smaller back teeth are useful for chewing. Their long, sharp claws help them grip branches as they climb and leap through trees. Unfortunately, those claws can accidentally scratch humans during handling.
While bush babies in the wild use their sharp teeth and claws to survive, pet bush babies may bite or scratch when feeling stressed or threatened. Since they are not domesticated like cats or dogs, they can be unpredictable when confronted with human interaction.
Bites and Scratches When Stressed or Frightened
Bush babies use bites and scratches as a defense mechanism when they feel frightened or stressed. Some common situations that provoke bush babies to bite or scratch include:
- Being woken up suddenly from sleep
- Being restrained or handled roughly
- Having their territory or food source threatened
- Being approached by a new person or animal they don’t know
- Loud noises or fast movements that startle them
- Pain or injury from mistreatment or accident
Bites most often occur on the hands and fingers, since that is the body part closest to the bush baby when being handled. Bush baby bites can be deep and cause bleeding from their sharp front teeth. Scratches commonly occur on the arms, hands, chest, and face as the bush baby tries to cling or climb to safety.
Studies have shown that between 25-40% of bush baby bites get infected, likely due to the bacteria in their mouths from eating insects and small prey. Bush baby scratches can also get infected if they are deep enough.
Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, oozing pus, increased pain, and fever.
To avoid bites and scratches from bush babies, it is important to approach them calmly, avoid making loud noises, gently restrain them when handling, and never take a bush baby from the wild as a pet.
With patience and care, bush baby bites and scratches can often be avoided through proper socialization and handling techniques.
Disease Risks
Herpes B Virus
Bush babies can carry the herpes B virus, which is highly contagious and potentially fatal to humans. The virus is found in the bodily fluids of infected bush babies and can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with these fluids.
Up to 80% of adult bush babies in the wild are believed to be infected with the virus. Once contracted by humans, herpes B can lead to severe neurological disease or death if left untreated. There is no cure, but antiviral drugs may help reduce symptoms if administered immediately after exposure.
As of 2022, over 40 human deaths have been attributed to the herpes B virus originating from bush babies.
To prevent human exposure, bush babies must never be kept as pets. Any contact with wild bush babies should be avoided. Viral transmission to humans is very rare, but can occur through bushmeat hunting or research activities.
Proper protective gear and caution must be used when handling bush babies in any capacity. Overall, the herpes B virus poses a low but very serious risk for those who come into contact with bush babies or their fluids. Preventative measures are vital.
Other Diseases
In addition to herpes B, bush babies may carry other viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases that can infect humans in some cases. These include:
- Monkeypox – A viral disease like smallpox that can cause fever, body aches, and skin lesions.
- Salmonella – Bacterial disease that leads to gastroenteritis.
- Tuberculosis – Bacterial infection of the lungs.
- Leptospirosis – Bacterial disease that affects the kidneys and liver.
- Internal parasites like roundworms and protozoa.
The risk of transmission varies by disease but can occur through bites, exposure to feces/urine, or other forms of contact with infected bush babies. Those who handle bush babies in research settings may be at highest risk.
Proper biosafety protocols, protective equipment, hygiene precautions, and medical monitoring can help reduce the odds of contracting these zoonotic diseases. Bush babies themselves typically do not show symptoms of these illnesses.
Legality of Keeping Bush Babies as Pets
Restrictions in the United States
In the United States, keeping bush babies as pets comes with legal restrictions. Bush babies are classified as exotic or wild animals, so pet ownership is regulated by both federal and state laws. At the federal level, the Endangered Species Act protects certain species of bush babies from importation and interstate trade without a permit.
Permits are only granted for scientific, educational, or conservation purposes – not for pets.
Additionally, each individual state has laws regarding exotic pet ownership. Some states like California and Hawaii have total bans, whereas others only allow bush babies to be owned with proper permits and licenses.
Before acquiring a bush baby, prospective owners must research both federal and state laws to ensure they can legally own one in their area.
Restrictions in Other Countries
Bush babies face similar restrictions in countries outside the United States as well. In the United Kingdom, all species of bush babies require a Dangerous Wild Animals License to be kept as pets. Only zoos, researchers, and a few exotic pet owners qualify for these licenses.
Canada and Australia also ban keeping bush babies as pets except for special permits granted for scientific reasons. Even in parts of Africa likeNamibia, bush babies are protected wildlife that require permits to own.
Transporting them across national borders is also tightly restricted under CITES regulations.
A few exceptions exist in countries with less stringent exotic pet laws. In Japan and parts of Europe, some bush baby species can be owned without permits. However, Japan banned importation of wild-caught bush babies in 1975 due to concerns about zoonotic diseases.
Bush babies bred in captivity from zoo or research populations are still occasionally available in the Japanese pet trade. But even in these areas, proper care requires an expensive, complicated setup beyond most casual pet owners.
Worldwide, the trend is moving away from keeping bush babies and other exotic wildlife as pets. Captivity raises ethical concerns and threats to wild populations. Laws aim to restrict bush babies to wildlife reserves, zoos and sanctuaries where their complex needs can be met.
For the vast majority seeking an unusual pet, experts recommend sticking with domestically bred animals less demanding than a bush baby.
Proper Care Difficulties
Complex Dietary Needs
Bush babies have very specific dietary requirements that can make caring for them challenging. In the wild, they eat a diet primarily composed of tree sap, gum, nectar, fruits, insects, small birds and eggs. Recreating this varied diet in captivity requires a great deal of effort and expertise.
Bush babies need a rotating menu of fruits, vegetables, proteins and gums to thrive. Common fruits fed to bush babies include mangos, bananas, apples and melons. Vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas and greens should also be provided. Insects like crickets and mealworms are important protein sources.
Acacia gum is an essential part of their diet as it provides nutrients not found in other foods. New pet owners often struggle with properly balancing all these dietary components. Failing to do so can lead to serious health issues for bush babies.
Social Needs
In the wild, bush babies are highly social animals that live in small family groups. Captive bush babies have complex social needs and can suffer without proper attention. They are vocal animals that make frequent chatter, screams and alarm calls in nature.
A single bush baby in captivity without companionship will be stressed and lonely. It is best to house bush babies in pairs or small groups to meet their social requirements. Even housed together, bush babies still need daily attention and play time with their owners.
Making time to interact with your bush baby is key to keeping it mentally and emotionally fulfilled. Leaving them alone for long periods can lead to distress and depression.
Other Care Requirements
Beyond diet and socialization, bush babies have other specialized care needs. They are nocturnal and quite active at night, requiring large, multi-level cages with ample space to jump and climb. Recreating their natural tropical climate in captivity is also important.
Their enclosures need warm temperatures around 80 F, high humidity and good ventilation. Providing proper light is vital, with subdued light during daytime hours and darkness at night. Specific sleeping nest boxes and hollow logs should be provided as well.
Furthermore, their unique foot structure requires perches of varying widths for health. Most owners are not prepared to meet these complex housing requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, bush babies may seem cute, but they are not ideal pets. With sharp claws and teeth, bush babies can inflict painful bites and scratches. They also carry diseases that can spread to humans. Plus, bush babies have complex care needs that most people cannot properly meet in captivity.
For these reasons, it’s best to appreciate bush babies in their natural habitats rather than attempt to keep them as pets.
