Whether Mort is a bush baby or not is an interesting question that deserves careful examination. To start, let’s clarify exactly what a bush baby is. Bush babies, also called galagos, are small nocturnal primates native to Africa. They get their name from their loud crying calls which sound a bit like a human baby crying. Bush babies have large eyes adapted for night vision, bat-like ears, and long hind limbs that allow them to leap far distances between trees. They are omnivorous, eating insects, fruit, tree gums, and other small prey. Now let’s look at the key traits of Mort and see how they compare.
Mort’s Physical Features
At first glance, Mort does share some similarities with bush babies. Like galagos, Mort is quite small in stature, has large eyes, big ears, and long limbs good for leaping and climbing. However, when we look closer, some distinct differences emerge. Bush babies have a long, bushy tail which they use for balance when jumping between trees; Mort does not have a long tail. Galagos also have special ridges on their fingers and toes that help them grip branches; Mort lacks these adaptations. The nose and facial structure of bush babies is very elongated and pointed, whereas Mort has a rounder, simpler face. Overall, Mort shares some superficial resemblances but lacks the specific adaptations that allow true bush babies to be expert leapers and climbers.
Mort’s Geographic Origin
Looking at where Mort is found also provides clues. Bush babies are native to the continent of Africa, found in woodlands and forests from southern Sahara to South Africa. In contrast, Mort inhabits remote islands of Iceland. Iceland has no native primate species, being isolated in a cold northern climate quite different from the African tropics. The chances of a tropical-adapted bush baby thriving in Iceland’s habitat are extremely slim. While the exact species Mort belongs to is unknown, he is much more likely to be a local Icelandic creature as opposed to an introduced African one.
Mort’s Behaviors
We can also compare Mort’s behaviors and habits to those of bush babies to gauge similarity. Here are some key behavioral differences:
- Bush babies are nocturnal whereas Mort is active during the day.
- Galagos primarily eat insects, fruit, tree sap while Mort eats mostly fish.
- Bush babies live in forests and sleep in tree hollows; Mort inhabits coastal caves and rock crevices.
- Mort appears comfortable in water; bush babies avoid getting wet and swimming.
- Mort hibernates during cold periods; bush babies remain active year-round in tropical climates.
The differences in activity patterns, diet, habitat use, and climate adaptation all illustrate that Mort’s behaviors do not match those of bush babies in Africa. His lifestyle is simply much better suited for Iceland’s environment than an African galago’s would be.
Analysis of Physical Features
| Trait | Bush Baby | Mort |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small, 3-6 inches long | Small, approx. 1 foot long |
| Tail | Long, bushy tail | Short, stubby tail |
| Face shape | Long, pointed muzzle | Rounded, simple face |
| Hands and feet | Ridged fingers and toes | Smooth fingers and toes |
| Eyes | Large eyes, night vision adapted | Large eyes, appear adapted to day vision |
This table summarizes some of the key physical differences between bush babies and Mort. The lack of tropical adaptations like a long tail and ridged digits in Mort point to him being a separate species endemic to Iceland’s very different environment.
Analysis of Habitat and Behaviors
| Factor | Bush Baby | Mort |
|---|---|---|
| Native habitat | Africa | Iceland |
| Climate | Tropical | Cold temperate |
| Activity cycle | Nocturnal | Diurnal |
| Diet | Insects, fruit, sap | Fish |
| Shelter | Tree hollows | Caves, rock crevices |
| Adaptations for… | Climbing, jumping | Swimming, hibernation |
This table highlights Mort’s habitat and behavioral differences from African bush babies. The contrasts show Mort is specialized for Iceland’s climate and environment in ways no tropically-adapted primate could be without significant evolutionary changes.
Conclusion
After reviewing the evidence, it seems clear that Mort is not in fact a bush baby, but rather a unique creature endemic to Iceland. His physical characteristics, geographic origin, climate preferences, and behaviors simply do not match those of galagos in Africa. While Mort shares a superficial resemblance to bush babies, he lacks any of their specialized adaptations for a tropical arboreal lifestyle. All indications point to Mort being a separate Iceland-native species, identified by some fans as a “puffinposum” due to his fish-eating tendencies. So while Mort may look a bit like a bush baby, he is likely his own distinct animal perfectly adapted to his chilly island home.