Caquetá Titi Monkey

© Javier García
© Javier García
 

This primate is approximately the size of a cat, with grayish brown hair, a gray stippled tail, and a bushy red beard around its cheeks. It is distinguished from many other species of Callicebus by the lack of a white bar on its forehead. 

As opposed to most primates, Caquetá titi monkeys are monogamous – they form life-long relationships and have one baby per year. As a new baby arrives, the parents normally force the oldest baby to leave to allow them to focus on the newborn (at least judging from information collected from closely related species). The families of this species stick together in groups of about 4 individuals and can be seen in the trees close to some of the main rivers of Caquetá.

Scientific Name

Callicebus caquetensis

Where

Vereda Ed Jardín, Southern Caquetá, Colombia (near the border of Ecuador and Peru).

When

Discovered in 2008, published 2010

Field Notes

The Caquetá region where this primate is found is known for violence from insurgent groups.  The area is also threatened with deforestation from agricultural development.

Callicebus caquetensis was found in part by following the groups' morning calls.
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Javier García, National University of Colombia

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