19 Captivating Facts About The Aye-Aye & How To See Them

Deep inside the lush, verdant rainforests of Madagascar, dwells an elusive and really unique creature with a striking appearance and fascinating foraging techniques: the Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis). In this article, we take a closer look at aye-ayes and what makes them so special.

After giving quick, essential information about the aye-aye so you can have a good overview of this animal, we will list 19 fascinating facts about them that I am sure you will love. At the end of this article, we will see how you could go about seeing aye-ayes in the wild.

Ready to learn more about aye-ayes? Let’s get started!

Essential Information About The Aye-Aye

• Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
• Size: 30-40 cm (12-16 in) for the body, 45-55 cm (18-22 in) for the tail.
• Weight: around 2.5 kg (5-6 lbs).
• Distribution: Endemic to Madagascar
• Habitat: Various types of forests, such as rainforest, dry scrub forest, deciduous forest.
• Diet: Fruits, flowers, nectar, insect larvae, seeds, fungi, small eggs.
• Predators: Mainly the fossa, birds of prey, and humans.
• Reproduction: One offspring every 2-3 years.
• Conservation status: Endangered. Population is declining.

19 Amazing Facts About The Aye-Aye

1. Unusual appearance: The Aye-Aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate. It has large eyes, a bushy tail, and distinctive rodent-like teeth. Its peculiar appearance definitely sets it apart from other lemurs and makes it one of Madagascar’s most iconic animals.
2. Specialized hands: Aye-Ayes have a unique arrangement of fingers: their middle fingers are significantly longer and thinner than the others. This adaptation allows them to extract insects and grubs from tree bark and crevices more efficiently.
3. The tapping expert: Aye-Ayes use their elongated middle finger for tapping on tree trunks to locate grubs hidden inside. This really clever technique is called percussive foraging. It helps them find their prey by listening for echoes from their taps.
4. Specialized diet: Aye-Ayes primarily feed on insect larvae, nectar, and fruit, using – you guessed it – their remarkable middle finger to extract food. Like other seed-eaters, they play a crucial role in seed dispersal for certain tree species, contributing to the health of Madagascar’s rainforests. Aye-Ayes are also known to love the flowers and nectar of the traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis), which is a very iconic plant of Madagascar.
5. Solitary creatures: Aye-Ayes are predominantly solitary animals, with each individual maintaining a territory of several square kilometers. But it is also possible to find a few individuals together, such as a mother and her offspring for example. They spend most of their lives in trees, rarely descending to the forest floor.
6. Local superstitions: Unfortunately, Aye-Ayes are often considered to bring bad luck in some Malagasy cultures. This leads to their persecution and the destruction of their habitat. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique animals and try to dispel misconceptions about them.
7. Unusual foraging hours: Unlike many other lemurs, Aye-Ayes are nocturnal and most active during the darkest hours of the night. This behavior certainly helps them avoid detection by predators, as well as competition with other, diurnal lemurs.
8. Distinctive vocalizations: Aye-Ayes have a range of unique vocalizations, including “aye-aye” sound that gave them their name, when they are fleeing danger, and a high-pitched call known as a “cree.” These sounds allow them to communicate with one another over long distances in the dense forest canopy.
9. Continuous tooth growth: Aye-Ayes have ever-growing incisors, just like rodents! This adaptation allows them to chew through hard materials like wood and bark without wearing down their teeth. This characteristic is unique among primates.
10. Elusive nature: Due to their nocturnal habits and preference for dense forest habitats, Aye-Ayes are notoriously difficult to study in the wild. As a result, many aspects of their biology and behavior remain unknown.
11. Nest builders: Aye-Ayes construct spherical nests made of twigs and leaves, which they use for sleeping during the day (remember, they are nocturnal). These nests are usually conveniently built in the forks of trees and can be up to a meter in diameter. They provide a cozy and secure resting place.
12. Long lifespan: Aye-Ayes have a pretty long lifespan for a small mammal. In captivity, they can live for up to 23 years. This helps researchers study their unique behaviors and physiology in detail.
13. Slow reproductive rate: Female Aye-Ayes only give birth once every two to three years, usually to one offspring only, making their reproductive rate one of the slowest among lemurs. As you can imagine, such a slow rate of reproduction makes it more challenging for their populations to grow and recover from threats like habitat loss and hunting.
14. Delayed sexual maturity: Aye-Ayes reach sexual maturity at a relatively late age, typically around 2 to 3 years old. This delayed maturity is another factor that contributes to their slow population growth.
15. Unique family tree: Aye-Ayes are the only living members of their genus, Daubentonia, and family, Daubentoniidae. This shows their unique evolutionary history – they followed their own path – and makes them one of the most distinctive primates on the planet.
16. Aye-Aye’s French connection: The Aye-Aye was first described by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in 1782. Its scientific name, Daubentonia madagascariensis, honors Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton, a French zoologist and Sonnerat’s contemporary.
17. Aided by technology: In recent years, researchers have used thermal imaging cameras to study Aye-Ayes in the wild. These cameras allow scientists to detect the animals’ body heat, making it easier to locate and observe them at night.
18. Aye-Ayes in pop culture: Aye-Ayes have appeared in various forms of popular culture, including films, television shows, and books. For example, an Aye-Aye named Maurice appears in the animated film “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” and its subsequent sequels.
19. Endangered status: Aye-Ayes are currently listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting, and the slow reproductive rate we have talked about. Unfortunately, their population is decreasing. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these animals and the forests they live in.

Where & How To See Aye-Ayes in The Wild?

If you want to see Aye-Ayes in the wild, Madagascar is the place to be, since they are endemic to this island. To increase your chances of spotting these elusive creatures, you can visit protected areas such as the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Ankarana Special Reserve, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, or the Palmarium Reserve.

Guided night walks are the way to go, as knowledgeable local guides can help you locate Aye-Ayes and other nocturnal wildlife. Ideally, you want to book a tour with a reputable operator that supports conservation efforts and employs local guides. This way, you can contribute to the local community and help protect these unique animals.

Keep in mind that Aye-Ayes are shy and nocturnal, so spotting them is definitely not easy and far from guaranteed, and requires patience and persistence. Be prepared for late-night walks, and in any case, follow the guidance of your local guide to minimize disturbance to the animals and their habitat.

Finally, remember to practice responsible wildlife tourism: always maintain a respectful distance from the animals, use red light torches to avoid disturbing their night vision, and don’t make noise!