Definition & Meaning of "aye-aye"

What is an "aye-aye"?

The aye-aye is a nocturnal primate species native to Madagascar, characterized by its unusual appearance, including a long, bony finger used for feeding, large ears, and bushy tail. They are known for their unique feeding habits, using their specialized finger to tap on tree bark and extract insects from crevices. Aye-ayes have a solitary and arboreal lifestyle, spending most of their time in trees, and are well-adapted to their environment with large eyes for night vision and elongated fingers for tree climbing. Despite their ecological importance, aye-ayes are classified as critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, and conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this unique primate species.