Common Name
Black-headed or Peruvian Night Monkey
Species
Aotus nigriceps
IUCN Status
Lower Risk
Common Classification
New World Monkey
Range Countries
Brazil, Colombia, and Peru
Habitat
Inhabit primary and secondary rain forest.
Distinguishing features
large eyes and black and white facial markings, forehead has three black areas, back is grizzled gray to brown, the throat, neck and under parts are reddish orange, tip of the tail is black.
Physical Characteristics
- Head and Body length: male – 346 mm; female – 341 mm
- Tail length: male – 354 mm; female – 373 mm
- Weight: male – 825-1050 g; female – 780-1100 g
Diet
Primarily eat fruit, but supplement diet with leaves, buds, flowers, sap and animal prey.
Behavior
Seen in family groups of 2 to 5 individuals with one monogamous male-female pair and up to 3 offspring, nocturnal and more than twice as active during a full moon, arboreal, vocal with howl similar to an owl's hoot.
Threats
Species threatened by collection for the pet trade and biomedical research, illegal hunting for their meat and fur, and habitat destruction.
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