Golden pottos, Arctocebus calabarensis, are endemic in western equatorial Africa, and are found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and Zaire.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

The body mass of A. calabarensis can range from 266 to 465 grams. The head-body length ranges from 229 to 305 mm. This species has a reduced, nub-like tail that measures from 4 to 10 cm, along with a reduced index finger. The second digit on each toe is used as a grooming claw.

Pelage coloration ranges from orange to yellow to brown on the dorsal side, with white or buff pelage on the ventral side. Facial markings include a white stripe above the nose.

Range mass: 266 to 465 g.

Range length: 229 to 305 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.731 W.

• Terrestrial

Arctocebus calabarensis can be found in primary and secondary forests, where it prefers tree fall zones. This species also resides within forestry and agricultural plantations. Arctocebus calabarensis is adapted to undergrowth, foraging within the lower canopy of the forest. It will spend most of its time within 5 m of the ground.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest

Golden pottos are primarily insectivorous, eating mainly insects that are rejected by other insectivores. Caterpillars are among the most common insects consumed by A. calabarensis. Other insects consumed include beetles, ants, moths and crickets. Before eating a caterpillar, golden pottos will rub the caterpillar in their hands to remove any hair the caterpillar may have. This prevents irritation from defensive hairs on the caterpillars. Golden pottos will also eat fruit and gums.

This species tends to forage alone within the lower canopy or on the ground within the undergrowth. Although golden pottos generally move slowly, they have been observed quickly rearing on their back legs in order to snatch moths from the air.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: fruit; sap or other plant fluids

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

Golden pottos help to disperse seeds of the fruit they have eaten by defecation (Nowak, 1999).

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

Details on predation of these pottos are not available, although they presumably fall victim to small carnivores, and the standard nocturnal predators of equatorial Africa. Arctocebus calabarensis is known to roll up into a ball when threatened, keeping the face under the armpit. If attacked, golden pottos will bite the predator on the snout, not letting go. Infants cling to the mother if she appears alarmed. Newborns are born with eyes open and can cling to their mothers' fur or to tree branches. In order to avoid birds of prey, these primates rarely climb higher than 15 m. (Charles-Donimique, 1977)

Known Predators:

• diurnal birds of prey (Falconiformes)
• owls (Strigiformes)

Communication in this species has not been well described. Vocalizations are recorded. In addition, the visual signal of a female positioning herself for copulation is important in breeding. Presumably, as in other prosimians, there is scent marking of territories. Tactile communication is important between mother and offspring, as well as between mates.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

In the wild, golden pottos can be expected to live anywhere from 12 to 15 years with an average life expectance of 13 years. When kept in captivity the lifespan of A. calabarensis can extend from 18 to 20 years.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 15 (high) years.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 20 (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 12 to 15 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 13 years.

Typical lifespan

Status: captivity: 18 to 20 years.

Males mate polygynously, copulating with the females whose home ranges overlap their territories. A female signals to a male that she is ready to mate by suspending herself upside down from a branch. Both male and female suspend themselves upside-down from a branch during copulation.

Mating System: polygynous

Females have an estrous cycle of 36 to 45 days. Gestation lasts between 131 and 136 days. They are capable of breeding more than one time per year, although details on interbirth intervals are not available.

The breeding season typically begins in the middle of the dry season and lasts until the start of the wet season. Because of this, golden pottos can breed more than once per year. Golden pottos copulate only at the end of the estrous cycle, when the female is about to ovulate. The female signals to the male that she is ready to mate by suspending herself upside down from a branch. Both male and female suspend themselves upside-down from a branch during copulation.

Females give birth to a single offspring. The young potto clings to the belly of the mother for about 4 months. Young are weaned between three and four months of age, at which time they begin to ride on their mother's back. Young leave the mother's home range around six months of age. They reach sexual maturity around 18 months.

Breeding interval: These animals can breed more than one time per year.

Breeding season: Breeding begins in the middle of the dry season and ends at the beginning of the wet season.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Range gestation period: 131 to 136 days.

Average weaning age: 3-4 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 18 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 18 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average birth mass: 26.1 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 270 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 279 days.

Males are not known to provide parental care in this species. At birth, the young are able to cling to the mother's fur, and have their eyes open. They are not able to climb or walk well on their own. The female cares for the young, carrying the infant first on her belly and later on her back. Females nurse their offspring for 3 to 4 months, and forage with them in the underbrush for another 2 months. At about 6 months of age, the young disperse.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female); extended period of juvenile learning

Arctocebus calabarensis is a CITES Appendix II species, which means there are restrictions and guidelines pertaining to the trade and exploitation of this species. This species also faces habitat destruction as the rainforests are cut down for timber and to open up farmland. Although these pottos are adapted to secondary vegetation, they are unable to disperse across unforested areas. (Kingdon,1997)

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix ii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

This species has not been reported to have adverse effects on humans.

Golden pottos are hunted for their meat by humans (Kingdon, 1997).

Positive Impacts: food