The aye-aye is one of the world’s ugliest animals. It is also the largest nocturnal primate. It is scientifically known as Daubentonia madagascariensis
It is native to Madagascar and has rodent-like teeth that perpetually grow and a special thin middle finger.
Moreover, it has extremely sensitive bat-like ears and its long black bony fingers are used to detect grubs under tree bark. Also, it relies on echo-location hunting techniques to hunt its prey.
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Sadly, the aye-aye has been a victim of its own frightening appearance. Traditionally, it is regarded as a harbinger of evil and hunted to the point of extinction. It is now listed as endangered.
The Yoruba probably have this animal in mind when they say the following prayer:
“Olódùmarè dákun jàre má jẹ́ kí ayé rí wa gbé ṣe”.
“God please, don’t allow the world’s malevolent entities to do us in”.
