Moholi (South African) Bushbaby

The Mohol bushbaby is an intriguing primate that belongs to the Galagidae family. Native to the southern regions of Africa, especially in mesic woodlands, this species inhabits countries such as Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. There have also been possible sightings in Rwanda and Burundi.

Physically, the Mohol bushbaby is medium-sized with distinctive features. It has orange eyes encircled by diamond-shaped rings and a greyish-brown coat on its back. Although it resembles the Senegal bushbaby, its unique biology sets it apart.

Interestingly, these bushbabies have been observed in suburban areas like Johannesburg and Pretoria. Some of these urban dwellers were previously pets or have escaped from captivity. Regarding their diet, Mohol bushbabies primarily consume insects and tree gum, particularly favoring sweet thorn and umbrella thorn trees. Their feeding habits vary with the seasons; in winter, they traverse the ground between gum trees, while in the wet summer months, they navigate through the trees.

There are two recognized subspecies of the Mohol bushbaby: G. m. moholi, known as the Moholi lesser bushbaby, and G. m. bradfieldi, or the Namibia bushbaby. Each subspecies has its specific range within the overall habitat of the species.