Primate of the Hump-Day (POHD): The Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkey (Aotus trivirgatus)
April 20th, 2010
Photo by Ryan Photographic
Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkey Profile
Age Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkeys live to be about 20 years old in the wild, with life spans reaching up to 30 years in captivity.
Body Type: Small monkeys with little difference in male and female body sizes. Adults weigh a little less than two pounds on average, with body lengths of around 13.5 inches from head to rump. At about 14 inches in length, the bushy tail is actually longer than the body.
Sex Females take a few more months to reach reproductive maturity than do males, who enter the dating scene at two years of age.
Relationship Status Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkeys are monogamous and live in family groups made up of a two parents and their young ‘uns. Mating occurs during the fall months which means that babies are born during the plentiful fruiting season.
Kiddos After a pregnancy lasting almost five months, females birth a single infant, although twins occur on very rare occasion. Babies are completely weaned by the time they are three months old, but youngsters will stay in their family groups for a few years until they find their own mates.
Political Views Male Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkeys are real “family guys,” spending the majority of their days hauling youngsters around, playing with and feeding infants, and fiercely defending their families from predators. These duties are physically demanding, and older juveniles in the family group also help take care of infants. Both males and females vigorously defend their own territories from other owl monkeys by vocalizing, chasing, and grappling with invaders.
Family Life Groups of Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkeys are small, with less than six individuals in the group at any given time. Young adults stay in their family groups until they find suitable mates.
Home Town Found in primary and secondary rain forests of South America, principally in the country of Brazil. Northern Gray-necked Owl Monkeys not currently at risk of extinction and have been used as research subjects in laboratories for studies on malaria and herpes, diseases sometimes contracted by these monkeys. However, like all primates, owl monkey populations are negatively affected by hunting pressures, deforestation, and habitat loss.
Oogivore type Primarily frugivores, when ripe fruit is available. However, Northern Owl Monkeys also routinely dine on flower nectar, leaves, insects, frogs, and eggs.
Locomotion Quadrupedal
Interests Enjoying the night-life through the help of nocturnal adaptations such as large eyes and sensitive noses and hooting like, yes…you guessed it, owls.
