Habitat

Tropical and lowland rainforest, mangroves and swap forest, savanna forest.

Natural behavior

Diurnal and arboreal with most travelling done by leaping and climbing. Living in home ranges and aggressive behavior is shown towards other troops. Foraging is noisy and destructive. Social grooming is common throughout the group and plays an important role in group bonding

Description

Light brown/yellow fur on body with two dark tufts of hair above eyes, dark hair surrounding face and dark legs. Also has a prehensile tail

Distribution

Wide ranging in the lower Amazon, South America

Diet

Omnivore; eating nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, frogs, small reptiles and bats

Reproduction

No set-breeding season, having the ability to breed year round, although peak births occur during the dry and early rainy season. Females cycle monthly and usually only mate with the dominant male in the group. Females are responsible for parental duties and all mothering is common.

Social structure

Social, living in large groups of up to 30, consisting of juveniles, infants and a few favored females. Males will leave the group on sexual maturity and seek a new group in which to mate. Females form the core of the group, often for entire lives. Groups are led by a dominant male who is active in protecting the group from predators. Dominant males have first choice in mating and food sources

Threats

Habitat destruction and hunting for food, illegal pet trade. (Most common primate kept as pets)