FaunaHub

Tarsier (Carlito syrichta)

MammalPrimateNocturnal

Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), a tiny primate with enormous eyes, clinging to a branch.

Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), Bohol.

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae) are tiny nocturnal primates of Southeast Asia, instantly recognisable by their enormous eyes — each eye is about as big as the animal's brain, the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal. The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), shown here, can fit in a human hand, yet it is a formidable little hunter with long legs, grasping fingers, and a long tail.

Tarsiers are unusual among primates for being entirely carnivorous, and they can rotate their heads remarkably far — roughly 180 degrees each way — to scan for prey without moving their fixed eyes.

Note: there are several tarsier species; details here use the Philippine tarsier as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Tarsiers live in forests and dense vegetation on islands of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and nearby islands. They favour areas with plenty of vertical stems and saplings to cling to, and dense cover for hiding by day. The Philippine tarsier inhabits forests and secondary growth in the southern Philippines.

Diet

Tarsiers are strict carnivores — unusual for primates — feeding mainly on insects such as crickets, beetles, and moths, and also taking small vertebrates like lizards and even small birds. They hunt by sight and sound at night, pouncing on prey with a quick leap and seizing it in their hands.

Behavior

Tarsiers are nocturnal vertical clingers and leapers, springing between stems with powerful hind legs and landing precisely thanks to padded fingertips. Their eyes cannot move in their sockets, so they compensate by turning their heads almost all the way around. They communicate with calls, including very high-pitched sounds, and are mostly solitary or live in small groups. Their large eyes give them keen night vision for catching prey.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Tarsiers are popular with tourists and are a point of national pride in the Philippines, but they are sensitive animals that fare badly when stressed, handled, or kept as pets — captive tarsiers can even harm themselves under stress. Habitat loss is a major threat, and responsible, hands-off sanctuaries are promoted over close contact. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific status.

More photos of the tarsier

A Philippine tarsier gripping a vertical stem with long fingers.

Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta).

Image: John Martin PERRY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Tarsier

Why do tarsiers have such enormous eyes?
Tarsiers are nocturnal hunters, and their huge eyes gather as much light as possible for seeing prey in the dark. Each eye is roughly the size of the animal's brain — the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal. Because these eyes can't move in their sockets, tarsiers turn their heads instead.
Are tarsiers really carnivores?
Yes, and that's unusual for a primate. Tarsiers eat only animal prey — mainly insects, plus small vertebrates like lizards and occasionally small birds. Unlike most primates, they don't eat fruit or leaves at all, making them the only entirely carnivorous primates.
Can a tarsier turn its head all the way around?
Almost. Because their large eyes are fixed in place, tarsiers can rotate their heads roughly 180 degrees in each direction — owl-like — to look around and track prey. This neck flexibility makes up for eyes that cannot swivel.
Do tarsiers make good pets?
No. Tarsiers are delicate, easily stressed wild animals that do very poorly in captivity — stressed individuals may even injure themselves — and they have specialised diets and needs. Keeping them as pets is harmful (and often illegal); responsible sanctuaries emphasise observation without handling.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.