Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Tarsius

Tarsius

1 9.9
Small animals from Southeast Asia that are active at night with very large eyes and long hind legs for leaping
  • noun
  • /ˈtɑrsiəs/
  • Specialized
: Tarsius
  • The Tarsius is a small primate that can be found in the dense forests of Southeast Asia.

Examples

  • Did you know that the Tarsius is a nocturnal primate?

  • The Tarsius genus is recognized for its unusually large eyes adapted for night vision.

  • Members of Tarsius are known for their ability to leap great distances between trees.

  • Scientists have discovered new species within the Tarsius genus on various Indonesian islands.

  • The Tarsius is known for its large eyes.

  • A fascinating aspect of the Tarsius is its ability to rotate its head almost 180 degrees to see in the dark.

  • Researchers study the Tarsius to better understand the adaptations of nocturnal animals.

Synonyms

genus Tarsius
vsTarsius
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small primates with very large eyes that live in trees in Southeast Asia

is the general term without the formal family classification

Compounds

genus Tarsius
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small primates with very large eyes that live in trees in Southeast Asia

Tarsius syrichta
  • Specialized
9.9

A small animal like a monkey with very large eyes that is active at night and lives in the Philippines

Tarsius glis
  • Specialized
9.9

A small primate active at night with very large eyes that lives in Southeast Asian forests

Surface Forms

Tarsius singular
Tarsii plural

Etymology

Tarsius comes from the old Greek word tarsos, which means 'ankle' or 'flat of the foot'. Tarsiers have very long ankle bones that help them jump between trees, so the name points to that special foot shape.