|
| Monkeys
|
Whiteface Monkey
(Cebus capucinus)
|
| Habitat
|
|
|
Education
|
Literature & eBooks
Children's Classic Literature by Twain, Bronte, Fitzgerald, Hawthorne, Thoreau and more.
|
|
|
|
Costa Rica's Monkey Species
There
are four species of monkeys in Costa Rica, all of which are descendants of
Asian and African monkeys that evolved into the New World monkeys about 40
million years ago.
The capuchin or cebus monkey is probably the smartest primate in the region
and it eats a varied and nutritious diet - insects, lizards, eggs and even
some mollusks that it splits open against rocks. The cebus monkey's habitat
is ample, since they live in rainy lowlands as well as in dry forests. Two
main places for spotting them are the Santa Rosa and Manuel Antonio national parks.
§ continued below ...
The spider monkey has a copper or orange fur and it's one of nature's
most impressive acrobats, swinging back and forth from branches with the
help of its long tail. They are very social at night, when they
sleep in groups in order to feel protected, but they are pretty solitary
during the day. Unfortunately, the spider monkey has suffered significantly from
deforestation and human invasion and its population has decreased.
Squirrel monkeys, or "titi" are the smallest of the Costa Rican monkeys and
they are so sociable and friendly that they even forage with groups of capuchin monkeys.
They inhabit the Southern Pacific lowlands.
| Monkeys of Costa Rica
|
Spider Monkey
|
Squirrel Monkey (mono titi)
|
|
|
Last but not least, the biggest primate in Costa Rica is the howler monkey,
local name of Mono Congo. It also happens to be the loudest one! This monkey
is properly named, since it makes extremely loud howling noises similar to
lion roars. They howl at certain hours of the day and whenever they want
to inspire some respect. They can weigh up to 12 pounds, and their diet is
mostly fruit and leaves. §
| Rainforest Animal Fun Facts
|
|
How do howler monkeys defend their territory?
|
|
|
|
|
