
Nina Garza
Conservation Artist, CEO of Artsefact LLC
Meet the Aye-aye!
Scientific Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
Phylum:Â Chordata
Order: Primates
Genus: Daubentonia
Kingdom:Â Animalia
Class:Â Mammalia
Family: Daubentoniidae
Species: D. madagascariensis
The aye-aye is one of the weirdest primates on Earth, native only to the island of Madagascar. With its large, bat-like ears, wide eyes, and elongated middle finger, the aye-aye has captured the attention of scientists and intrigued people worldwide. It’s the world’s largest nocturnal primate and spends its life high in the trees, using its incredible adaptations to hunt for food like no other primate. Because it is so different, the aye-aye is surrounded by many myths and superstitions, from a harbinger of death to a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of these unique lemurs.
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A Look That's Hard to Forget
Aye-ayes have thick, dark brown or black fur, with white-tipped guard hairs. These can be raised when they’re agitated to make them look twice their size! Adults can grow to about 15 inches long and have a bushy tail that’s longer than their bodies. Aye-ayes weigh around 5 to 6 pounds. Their eyes are large, orange, and reflect light in the dark. This gives them excellent night vision, but also quite an eerie look! Aye-ayes have large, triangular ears, which are very sensitive and play a major role in helping them find food. An aye-aye’s incisors are similar to those of rodents, as they never stop growing. Their most distinctive feature is their long, skeletal-like middle finger, which they use to tap on trees to find hidden insects!
Where They Call Home
Aye-ayes are found only in the tropical rainforests and deciduous forests of Madagascar, one of the world’s most unique biodiversity hotspots. These nocturnal creatures are arboreal, spending almost all their time in the trees. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from rainforests to dry forests, as long as there are plenty of trees where they can hunt for food and build nests.
A Different Kind of Diet
Aye-ayes are omnivores, feeding on a variety of foods, including fruits, nuts, fungi, and insect larvae. They are known for their unique feeding method called tap foraging. They tap on trees with their long middle finger to detect hollow cavities where insect larvae are hiding. Once they find one, they use their sharp, rodent-like teeth to gnaw through the bark, then use the same middle finger to fish the larvae out. This technique is similar to a woodpecker, but the aye-aye is the only primate to hunt this way!
Nighttime Wanderers
Aye-ayes are strictly nocturnal, emerging from their nests at night to hunt for food. They are solitary animals, with each individual maintaining a large territory that can cover several miles. They build spherical nests high in the trees, using leaves and branches, where they sleep during the day. Though solitary, aye-ayes may overlap in territory with others and occasionally cross paths while foraging.
Aye-aye Families

Aye-ayes have no specific breeding season, and females can give birth at any time of the year. After a gestation period of about 172 days, the female gives birth to a single infant, which she cares for in her nest. The young aye-aye stays with its mother for up to two years, learning how to forage and survive in the trees. Aye-ayes can live up to 24 years in captivity, although their lifespan in the wild is less clear.
Myths and Legends of the Aye-aye

Surrounded by myths and legends, aye-ayes are both feared and revered. Many of the native Malagasy people of Madagascar consider the aye-aye a bad omen, seeing it as a harbinger of crop failures, illness, and even death. In some cases, entire villages have reportedly abandoned their homes and rebuilt elsewhere after encountering an aye-aye. Unfortunately, it is more common for villagers to resort to killing the aye-aye on sight. However, not all Malagasy beliefs are negative. In some regions, aye-ayes are welcomed and seen as symbols of good fortune, as they are known to eat insects that harm crops.
5 Fun Facts About Aye-ayes
- They construct multiple nests out of leaves and branches, which they rotate among when they need to rest or hide during the day. Different animals use the same nest on different days!
- Researchers believe that aye-aye comes from the Malagasy phrase “I don’t know”, because locals were afraid to speak the name. Very much like Harry Potter’s “He-who-must-not-be-named”, don’t you think?
- The aye-aye has a pseudo-thumb, an extra digit that helps it grip branches while it uses its other fingers for foraging.
- Aye-ayes are solitary and territorial, roaming through large areas alone except during mating season.Â
- Male territories are huge and may overlap with other males. Female territories are smaller and will overlap with at least one male, but not other females.
Threats to Their Survival

Aye-ayes are considered endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation, as their forest homes are being cleared for agriculture, logging, and development. In addition to habitat destruction, the aye-aye faces threats from local superstition. In some parts of Madagascar, aye-ayes are considered harbingers of bad luck and even death, and they are often killed on sight due to these beliefs.
Efforts to Save the Aye-aye
Efforts to protect aye-ayes include habitat preservation and reforestation programs, as well as programs that educate local communities about the ecological importance of these animals. Conservation organizations such as the Duke Lemur Center, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group are working to safeguard the forests where aye-ayes live and to raise awareness in order to dispel harmful superstitions. Protecting their natural habitat is crucial for the survival of the species.
Here are a few things YOU can do to help as well:
- Donate to charities with a focus on conservation, some include: International Union for Conservation (IUCN), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Duke Lemur Center. These organizations are out in the field protecting forests, fighting poaching, and spreading knowledge to communities.
- Shop at Artsefact: Part of all proceeds go towards wildlife and habitat conservationÂ
- Choose to take a more hands-on approach in the field by participating in anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, or monitoring the population of the habitats.Â
- You can also OWN an aye-aye (ethically of course), through a symbolic adoption, which allows you to contribute to conservation efforts. The funds raised will go towards habitat protection and research.Â
- Try to avoid products linked to deforestation, and purchase products that are certified as sustainable, such as FSC-certified wood and paper products, which help lower the demand for deforestation in aye-aye habitats.
- Use your social media presence to raise awareness on the issues the aye-ayes are facing. a
Aye-aye Fact Sheet!
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Nina Garza
Conservation Artist, CEO of Artsefact LLC