Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Aotidae
- Genus
- Aotus
Habitat
This species inhabits tropical rainforests and secondary forests in Central and South America, particularly in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They prefer areas with dense canopy cover and proximity to rivers, avoiding open or highly disturbed areas.
Diet
The gray-bellied night monkey primarily feeds on fruits, insects, and leaves, with a preference for ripe fruits from trees like figs. They are nocturnal foragers, actively searching for food at night using their keen eyesight, and occasionally consume small vertebrates or nectar.
Behavior
Gray-bellied night monkeys are nocturnal and live in small family groups consisting of a monogamous pair and their offspring. They are territorial, marking their areas with urine and vocalizations, and communicate through a variety of calls including whistles and screams. These monkeys are agile climbers, spending most of their time in the trees and resting during the day in tree hollows.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the gray-bellied night monkey is Least Concern, though populations are declining due to habitat loss from deforestation. Major threats include fragmentation of forests and hunting in some areas.