POTTO

also called Bush Bear, Tree Bear, or Softly-softly (Perodicticus potto), tropical African primate, family Lorisidae. The potto is a slow-moving, nocturnal tree dweller. It has a strong grip and clings tightly to the branches, moving quickly only in emergencies. It feeds on fruit, small animals, and insects and curls up to sleep by day in tree hollows. The potto is about 37 cm (15 inches) long excluding its furry, 5-10-centimetre (2-4-inch) tail. It has large eyes, sturdy limbs, stublike second fingers and toes, and a ridge of spines, of uncertain function, formed by the neck vertebrae. Its dense, woolly fur is grizzled reddish. Little is known of its breeding; one young is typical.