Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Aotidae
- Genus
- Aotus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits tropical rainforests in the Amazon basin, including parts of Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. They prefer dense, lowland forests with ample canopy cover for movement and shelter. They are typically found at elevations below 1,500 meters, avoiding open or disturbed areas.
Diet
Nancy Ma's night monkey mainly eats fruits, insects, and leaves, with a preference for ripe fruits and protein-rich insects like beetles and moths. They forage nocturnally, using their excellent night vision to search for food in the trees. Their feeding behavior includes leaping between branches to access various food sources.
Behavior
These monkeys are strictly nocturnal, spending their days sleeping in tree hollows or dense foliage and becoming active at dusk. They live in small family groups of 2-5 individuals, typically a monogamous pair with their offspring, and exhibit territorial behavior by vocalizing and scent-marking to defend their home range. They communicate through a variety of calls and engage in grooming to maintain social bonds.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN, Nancy Ma's night monkey is listed as Least Concern with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade.