LogoLogoLogoLogo
  • MENU
    • Home
    • About us
    • Become a travel writer
    • Travel Marketing & Advertising
    • Become a local expert
    • Our Expeditions
    • Contact us
Subscribe
✕
            No results See all results

            Potto

            • Home
            • Animals
            • Potto
            Potto (Perodicticus potto) nocturnal primate in Uganda's rainforests

            The potto is a medium-sized sloth-like nocturnal primate that inhabits forest interiors, spending nights foraging upside down from tree branches and days curled up to sleep in tree hollows during the day. Tourists sometimes see it on guided night nature walks in Kibale Forest, western Uganda.

            • Animals

            Potto

            May 25, 2020

            Potto (Perodicticus potto), also called the bush bear, tree bear, or softly-softlys, slow-moving tropical African primate. The potto is a nocturnal tree dweller found in rainforests from Sierra Leone eastward to Uganda.

            It has a firm grip and clings tightly to branches, but when necessary, it can also move quickly through the branches with a smooth gliding gait that makes it relatively inconspicuous.

            Potto aka bush bear, tree bear, or softly-softlys, slow-moving tropical African primate
            Photo by Callie de Wet

            This medium-sized sloth-like nocturnal primate inhabits forest interiors, spending nights foraging upside down from tree branches. It can sometimes be seen at night by shining a spotlight into the canopy.

            The potto lives on tree branches in Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth National Parks, and most other major rainforests. You will likely see it on guided night nature walks in Kibale Forest.

            Potto gripping on a tree
            Potto gripping on a tree | Photo by Callie de Wet

            It is about 35 cm (14 inches) in length, excluding its furry 5–10-cm (2–4-inch) tail. It has large eyes, sturdy limbs, stublike second fingers and toes, and reddish grey dense woolly fur.

            A ridge of short, blunt spines formed by the neck vertebrae runs down its nape. This primate’s spines are covered by thin, highly innervated skin. They are believed to be sensitive to the movements of potential predators when the potto tucks its head between its arms in a defensive posture.

            Photo face in the dark of a tree hollow
            Photo face in the dark of a tree hollow

            The potto inhabits all strata of lowland and montane tropical moist forest, swamp forest, and other lowland forest types. It is more common in secondary and colonising forests and along the margins of these forests.

            The pato feeds on fruit, small animals, and insects (especially larvae) at night and curls up to sleep in tree hollows during the day.

            Pottos are solitary animals but do display some degree of sociality. The females give birth to one young annually.

            The African Potto (Perodicticus potto) has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2008 and is listed as Least Concern for extinction.

            Share
            0
            The Writer, Bert Baguma, is a Travel Writer & Digital Marketer with an off-the-charts enthusiasm for culture, the natural world. Like nature, he prefers visuals, smell, taste, touch; the raw experience of change.
            Uganda gorilla tour operator and DMC, Nkuringo Safaris
            Advertisement

            Go Further

            Carnivorous Animals in Uganda
            • Animals
            • Travel

            Predators That Rule Uganda’s Wilderness


            Read more
            Uganda's big 5 animals list, the five most best to see on uganda safari
            • Animals

            The List New Big Five Animals in Uganda Taking Center Stage


            Read more
            Hyrax found in Uganda

            Hyraxes, also called dassies, are small, thickset, herbivorous mammals found in Uganda. They are well-furred, rotund animals with short tails. Typically, they measure between 30 and 70 cm long and weigh between 2 and 5 kg. 

            • Animals

            The hyrax and other strange tiny animals in Uganda


            Read more
            Swine or African Pig species found in uganda

            Warthogs are members of the same family as domestic pigs, but present a much different appearance. These sturdy hogs are not among the world's most aesthetically pleasing animals—their large, flat heads are covered with "warts," which are actually protective bumps. Warthogs also sport four sharp tusks. They are mostly bald, but they do have some sparse hair and a thicker mane on their backs.

            • Animals

            Uganda’s Wild Pigs: Warthog, Bush Pig, & Giant Forest Hog


            Read more
            Burchell's zebra in Uganda

            The Zebra is an unmistakable striped horse widespread throughout east and southern Africa, but in Uganda can only be found in Lake Mburo and Kidepo National Parks.

            • Animals

            Burchell’s zebra


            Read more
            African Big 5 Animals found in uganda, big five game

            Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, & Rhino: These large, fierce and sneaky species were once targeted targeted by hunters, who gunned them down in droves for trophies and meat. Today they are “awe-inspiring” sights for safari travelers.

            • Animals
            • Travel

            The big five and other big game animals in Uganda you must see


            Read more
            Rothschild's Giraffe, Northern giraffe, rothschild's giraffe in Uganda

            Rothschild's Giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park. A truly a unique species, Uganda's giraffes are found only in Murchison, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, and Pian Up Game Reserve.

            • Animals

            Rothschild’s Giraffe


            Read more
            African buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
            • Animals

            African Buffalo


            Read more

            Travel

            Exploring Uganda's northeastern wilderness on a solo safari - traveling alone on self-drive in Uganda
            • Experiences

            A Solo Safari In Uganda’s Northeastern Wilderness


            Read more
            Coronavirus (Covid) Information for Travelers to Uganda
            • Advisory

            Uganda Travel Restrictions & Country Declared Ebola Free


            Read more
            Packing list: what to take on your Uganda safari trip
            • Guide
            • Travel

            Packing List, What To Pack for Uganda Safari


            Read more
            Lake Bunyonyi Near Bwindi Western Uganda
            • Places

            Lake Bunyonyi — An Adventurer’s Guide


            Read more
            Entebbe town attractions
            • Places

            Visit Entebbe, Uganda’s Charming Peninsula Town


            Read more
            Jinja source of the nile adventures in Uganda
            • Places

            Jinja, Source of The Nile Adventures


            Read more
            Rwenzori Mountains National Park Vegetation
            • National Parks

            Rwenzori Mountains National Park & The Mountains of the Moon


            Read more
            Lake Mburo National Park, most accessible wildlife reserve in southwestern Uganda
            • National Parks

            Lake Mburo National Park, an unknown wildlife wonderland


            Read more

            JOIN US

            • About us
            • Write Your Travel Story
            • Work With Us
            • Advertise With Us
            • Customer Service

            GO INSIDE

            • Travel
            • Animals
            • Environment
            • People & Culture
            • Book a Trip
            • Walk With a Local

            LEGAL

            • Terms of Use
            • Privacy Policy
            • Cookie Policy

            FOLLOW US

            logo
            © , Destination Uganda Travelers. All Rights Reserved.
              Subscribe
              0

              UGX0

                        No results See all results
                          ✕

                          Cart

                          Your cart is currently empty.

                          Subtotal: UGX0
                          Total: UGX0
                          Proceed to checkout View cart