A Strange Look To Squirrel Monkey
Posted by Allie Weatherwax
The squirrel monkey is the most common monkey in South America. Habitat loss for farming and pet
trade are threats to populations. Guianas south to northern Brazil, west to Venezuela. They live in the canopy of tropical rainforest trees up to 3000 ft. They have been found in cultivated, forested areas usually along rivers and streams.
The squirrel monkey head and body of the squirrel monkey measure 12.5 inches and the tail is approximately 16 inches. They typically weigh 1.5 – 2.5 pounds, the smallest in the Cebidae family. It has short, thick fur. The top of the head is black to gray with white around the eyes, ears, throat and sides of neck, and not much hair around the lips and nostrils. Its appendages are reddish or yellow and the shoulders and hind feet are gray, and underparts are whitish to yellowish. The tail has a black tip and is only partially prehensile. The thumb is short but well developed. The males are larger than females and have well developed teeth.
They are diurnal and move silently through the canopy of the trees in troops. The troop size depends on the amount of habitat available. The average size of a troop is 25 providing many eyes for searching for food as well as keeping an eye out for predators. Their thighs are shorter than their lower legs, which allows them to jump from tree to tree. They marking their territory utilizing scent glands which are throughout their fur especially the tail. This allows other troop members to follow a trail through the trees. Squirrel monkeys also follow other monkeys in search of food.
Diet
Fruit and insects, some leaves and seeds
Reproduction and Development
Several females in the group produce a single young per year. Births are seasonal and synchronous. During the mating season males establish a dominance hierarchy by fighting, and the higher ranking ones then interact with the females. Gestation is 5.5 months and usually one baby is born. Squirrel Monkey births typically occur during time of greatest rainfall as there is abundance of food and water. Males do not rear the young, but other females in the troop assist. For the first month an infant rides on the mother’s back. At six weeks the young begin to eat solid foods, though they continue to nurse until they are about six months. Females reach sexual maturity at 2.5 – 3 years. At that time they leave their natal group and join another. Males are sexually mature at 3 to 5 years and either stay in their family group or relocate.
Squirrel Monkey
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Cebidae
Genus: Saimiri
Species: Saimiri Sciurius
Tricks That Develop Dog And Owner Relationship
Posted by Jamie Fabiani
Presenting, Useful Dog Tricks!! Whoever said tricks can’t be useful? Jesse loves helping around the house, and I just love his happy attitude and smile on his face. “Our relationship is based on mutual respect, understanding, and trust. We have a wonderful relationship and bond, and that is the foundation of our training. We train all behaviors through the use of positive reinforcement” Jesse chooses to do the behaviors in this video, and has so much fun bringing smiles to people’s faces. He gets treats for doing his tricks, and enjoys learning new things. Tricks are just one of the activities we enjoy doing together. When not doing tricks, Jesse can be found playing with his cuz ball, chasing squeaker tennis balls, digging in search for lizards, de-fluffing stuffed toys, swimming, and a companioning me on outings. Jesse loves adventure, and lives each and every day to its fullest. Jesse is my best friend, heart dog, and truly a member of the family, and I love him with every beat of my heart. Special thanks to Josh Woodward for the use of the songs “Coffee” both Full & Instrumental version. His music is under Creative Commons that set us a mood.
You don’t have to speak Japanese to understand the sympathetic tones of the two men observing these dogs who are also disaster victims — and one loyal dog refusing to leave his hurt friend’s side. There is so much we don’t understand about the emotional lives of animals. But we know they can suffer tremendously, and we know they care for each other. We wish all the people and animals of Japan heartfelt concern during this incomprehensibly difficult time. We know that the people of Japan will respond like these two friends, never abandoning each other in this time of need. Ganbatte kudasai! (“Don’t give up!”)
Javan Macaques That Eat Crabs
Posted by Mathew Wada
The crab-eating macaque Monkey (Macaca fascicularis), are native to the islands of Java, and other Indonesian islands. This species generally forages below 20 meters, mostly in the lower canopy, understory and on the ground. They mostly eat fruit, but they also eat stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, grass, mushrooms, insects, arthropods and bird eggs. When they forage in the mangroves they eat crabs, but have also been seen eating frogs and shrimp. They prefer foraging close to small bodies of water and the amount of time they spend foraging decreases as they move away from the riverbank.
Crab-eating Macaques have a trichromatic vision. That is, they have three kinds of opsins in their cones, which let them see short, medium, and long wavelengths (roughly corresponding to blues, greens and reds, respectively). One advantage of being trichromatic is that the monkeys who eat fruit can determine when the fruit is ripe. Also it helps the monkeys to pick out a food target in a green vegetation background. This species has a strict dominance hierarchy in which every individual knows its rank. There are three main troops in the large macaque enclosure. Each group has an alpha male who protects and leads his troop. In this dominance hierarchy, higher-ranking monkeys and pregnant females have first access to higher quality/preferred food sources.
The Crab-eating Macaques and squirrel monkeys were presented with buckets containing food. We used 12 buckets that were divided into six stations. Each station consisted of one bucket that was covered in red construction paper and one bucket that was covered in green construction paper. The construction paper was attached to the buckets using clear packing tape; this assisted with keeping the buckets water resistant and protected it from the monkeys being able to rip off the paper. The buckets used for crab-eating macaques measured 156.5 cm deep with a 15.5 cm opening. While the buckets used for the squirrel monkeys measured 11 cm wide and 11.5com deep.
To test whether monkeys could learn to associate the colors on these buckets with food sources, we first performed a learning period with open buckets (no tops covering the buckets), such that monkeys that approached each bucket could look inside and see what food source was in it. This open bucket period lasted three trails – June 24th, June 27th and June 29th, and was meant to teach the monkeys that their preferred food was in the red and not the green bucket.
We filled the red buckets with grapes (20 grapes for macaques and 15 for squirrel monkeys) and green buckets with monkey biscuits (20 biscuits for macaques and 15 for squirrel monkeys). We put two small holes in the back wall of each bucket in order to attach zip ties so that we could attach the buckets to the fence of the macaque enclosure or tree branches in the squirrel monkey enclosure. Our trials were conducted at the south perimeter of the property for the crab eating macaques, near the kitchen; these buckets were attached directly to the inside of the fence.
Each station was no less than three meters apart and the red and green buckets at each station were placed one and half meters from one another. In contrast, the squirrel monkey trials were conducted in the rainforest canopy area of monkey jungle. Each station was a distinct location on trees no less than three meters apart. The buckets at each station were tied directly to tree branches or trunks. We prevented any monkeys trying to investigate the buckets until all stations were ready to begin.
Once all the buckets were in place, the timekeeper announced the time and we began recording data. We record the order the monkeys approach the buckets at each station. This data was recorded for a total of five minutes at 30-second intervals. Recording data this way allowed us to determine not only the total number of monkeys that visited each bucket, but also the order in which they approached each bucket (i.e. which bucket did they approach first?). When the five minutes were complete, we gathered the buckets and counted how many pieces of food were left. We then recorded the data on to the timekeeper’s master sheet.
After the third trial date (June 29th) we closed the tops of each bucket so that monkeys could no longer see inside. Each top had a small hole, big enough for a monkey to put its hand into, but covered with a flap of duct tap that prevented the monkeys from seeing inside. In the green buckets we took out the biscuits so that the monkeys would learn that food could only be found in the red buckets. We continued our trials with both species of monkeys, following the data collection protocols for the open-bucket trails (explained above).
The Crab-eating Macaques Monkey learned immediately that they had to put their hands into the opening of the buckets. The squirrel monkeys, on the other hand, had trouble learning that they had to put their hands in the opening. We thus had to demonstrate to the squirrel monkeys that they had to put their hands into the bucket. Eventually all squirrel monkeys learned how to get food out of the covered buckets. We recorded data with these closed buckets for four more trials for each monkey species.
Habitat and Conservation Of Golden Lion Tamarin
Posted by Allie Genthner
Golden Lion Tamarin
The golden lion tamarin, one of the world’s most striking and rarest mammals, is so called because of the beautiful mane of silky golden hair that frames its face. The fur is a lustrous golden color, but the tail and forepaws may be brown or black. The face is naked or sparsely haired. The forelimbs are shorter than the hind limbs and the thumb is not opposable. The digits are long and delicate with claw like nails, which are perfectly adapted to forage for small prey. The canines are longer than the incisors. Tamarins have acute sight, good hearing and sense of smell. Golden lion tamarin body length: 8-13.4 inches; Tail length: 12.6-16 inches; Weight: 600-800 grams (21 – 28 oz). Golden lion tamarin males are typically larger than females but otherwise there are no major differences between the sexes. Golden lion tamarin lifespan: In the Wild: 10-12 yrs., In Captivity: 15 years.
Habitat
In the Wild: Golden lion tamarins inhabit the Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil and in or near the Reserva Biologica de Poco das Antas in Rio de Janeiro. They reside in dense forest that is entangled with many vines and has a high density of fruit. The climate is extremely humid. They occupy the closed canopy, often remaining 10-30 meters (30 to 90 ft.) off the ground. They are diurnal (active during the daytime) and sleep in tree holes for warmth and protection from predators. At the zoo they sleep in nesting boxes. Exhibit Location: Social Animals.
Behaviors
Golden lion tamarins express their emotions by movements of the eyelids, ears, and the hairy adornments of the head. Most of their time is spent in trees or shrubs. They generally travel in groups of 2-8 individuals and usually with family members. They are active and agile, running, jumping and leaping between trees. When at rest, tamarins draw the fingers inward so that the nails pierce the bark of the tree limb they are on. They are fastidious in the care and grooming of their fur, and often engage in mutual grooming. Golden Lion Tamarinsare usually docile and gentle in captivity but will bite if handled against their will. Enrichments at the Zoo: live crickets and mealworms are given to encourage hunting behaviors.
Reproduction
Golden Lion Tamarin Sexual maturity is reached at 16 to 20 months of age. The golden lion tamarins are seasonal breeders, bearing most litters between January and June in the temperate zone (the reverse in Brazil which is July – November). Golden Lion Tamarin Females’ estrus cycle averages 2-3 weeks in length. During this period, there are changes in socio-sexual interactions between the male and female. Sniffing, approaching and grooming increase at the peak of estrus. The gestation period is 130 to 145 days. Females give birth to 1-3 young (2 being the norm), each weighing about 2oz. The Golden Lion Tamarin male assists in the rearing of the young and carries them on his back. At feeding time he transfers them to the mother and then accepts them again after feeding. The young are fed every few hours and are weaned at approximately 2 to 3 months of age. In the Wild: They are omnivorous, feeding on tree gum, fruits, insects, small lizards, flowers, leaves, nectar, bird eggs and nestling tree frogs. GLT’s actively search crevices, bark, bromeliads and other hiding places for their prey. They use their long, slender fingers and hands to probe into these areas (“micromanipulation”). At the Zoo:Marmoset diet, marmoset jelly, mealworms, monkey chow, orange slices, apples, bananas and grapes.
Conservation Status
IUCN status: – Endangered; CITES: Appendix I. The golden lion tamarin is one of the world’s most endangered animals. Numbers declined largely due to destruction of its forest habitat for lumber, farming, pasture and housing. Until the 1960’s they were subject to considerable exportation for use in zoos, laboratories and the pet trade. Reintroduction has had a positive effect. Once down to only 200-300, there are now about 1200 golden lion tamarins living in the wild, most in or near the Reserva Biologica de Poco das Antas in the state of Rio de Janeiro. About 450 live in zoos worldwide. To maintain the species, they are being bred in captivity (SSP) and commercial trade has been banned. Predators of the golden lion tamarin include humans, snakes, small cats and birds of prey. Golden Lion Tamarin groups actively defend a territory against other GLT’s. They use vocalizations and scent marking during ritualized group encounters for defense. Actual fighting does not occur. This is to reduce the chance of injury for the tamarins that are involved. Remember, they don’t have veterinarians in the wild!
Golden Lion Tamarin
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primata
Family: Callitrichidae
Genus: Leontopithecus
Species:rosalia
The Endangered Emperor Tamarin Habitat
Posted by Allie Weatherwax
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)
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| Emperor Tamarin |
The “Emperors Tamarin” are mainly gray on their bodies, with a mixture of fine yellow hair on their backs and a rusty-red scattering of color on their breast. They also have a silvery brown crown, black hands and feet, and a reddish white moustache that hangs down to its chest in two strands. Like most tamarins, this species has claws on all of its fingers and toes except the great toe, which has a nail. Emperor tamarins are active by day and are very graceful, friendly, and playful monkeys. They are “leapers” in their motor behavior and move through trees with rather quick, jerky movements.
The estrus cycle of the Emperor Tamarin is about 15 days, and the female mates with all the males of the group. The gestation period lasts from 140-145 days, after which 1-2 young are born. The father usually helps with the baby’s birth, receiving it at the end of partruition and washing it. A newborn Emperor is completely helpless, weighs approximately 1.2 oz, and has a coat of short hair. A mother feeds her baby every 2-3 hours. The babies ride on the backs of their parents for 6-7 weeks, and at around 2-3 months of age they go through a weaning period. Most of these tamarins become sexually mature around 16-20 months of age. The life span of this species is 10-20 years.
Emperor Tamarin Habitat
The estrus cycle of the Emperor Tamarin is about 15 days, and the female mates with all the males of the group. The gestation period lasts from 140-145 days, after which 1-2 young are born. The father usually helps with the baby’s birth, receiving it at the end of partruition and washing it. A newborn Emperor is completely helpless, weighs approximately 1.2 oz, and has a coat of short hair. A mother feeds her baby every 2-3 hours. The babies ride on the backs of their parents for 6-7 weeks, and at around 2-3 months of age they go through a weaning period. Most of these tamarins become sexually mature around 16-20 months of age. The life span of this species is 10-20 years.
DIET
Their diet consists mainly of fruits, insects, and tree sap. It feeds on fruit, flowers, and nectar of different species of trees, usually those with small crowns. Emperor tamarins get most of the protein in their diet through eating invertebrates such as locusts, beetles, butterflies, spiders, and ants. The tree sap is an additional source of valuable carbohydrates and minerals. Emperor tamarins have also been known to eat smaller vertebrates such as lizards, tree frogs, and bird eggs.
STATUS
Special concern. Saguinas imperator is considered endangered or threatened in Brazil and Peru, but in other areas of their terrestrial biome, the IUCN classifies their status as indeterminate. The clearing of forest habitat by humans is the main reason they are in danger.
FACTOIDS
This species also displays a need for tenderness, as in captivity they love to be stroked by hand and will actually lay on their backs in hopes of extra petting attention. Emperor tamarins were named after the Emperor of Germany, Emperor Wilhelm II. Taxidermists liked to play with these monkeys and twist up their moustaches to look like the Emperor. Swiss Zoologist Goeldi gave the species the name of “emperor” as a joke, but the name stuck and was soon given the Latin name of “Saguinas imperator”.