Peruvian night monkey

Andean Nachtaffe ( Aotus miconax )

The Andean Nachtaffe ( Aotus miconax ) is a primate of the group of night monkeys ( Aotidae ) within which it is counted for Rotkehl group.

Features

Like all night monkeys are Andean night monkey relatively small primates. Their fur is longer than the other close related species, it is gray -brown on the back and on the outside of the limbs, the abdomen and the inside of limbs are reddish - brown. The tail is longer than the trunk and bushy. The big, brown eyes are surrounded by white boxes, stretch out along the head three dark stripes, each one outside of each eye and one on the forehead to the nose.

Distribution and habitat

Andean night monkey are found exclusively in the Andean regions in northern and central Peru. Their habitat is forests, cloud forests, mainly in 1700-2400 meters above sea level.

Way of life

Little is known about the way of life, but it should match the rest of the night monkey. They are nocturnal and usually stay up in the trees. There, they move away on all fours and jumping. Night monkeys live in monogamous family groups of two to five animals and inhabit solid grounds, which they defend against conspecifics. The main food of these animals consists of fruits, besides they also eat leaves and insects. Avoid through their nocturnal lifestyle they compete with diurnal, more dominant species.

Endangering

Main threat to the Andean night monkey is the destruction of their relatively small habitat by conversion to agricultural areas and by mining. The IUCN lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).