THE MONKEY BOOKLET

The Monkeys of Cloudbridge Nature Reserve

Visitor Participation Booklet

Thank you for carrying this booklet on your hike today. Please take a

Monkey Questionnaire and a pencil with you, as well. As a friendly

reminder, please don’t forget to return the booklet, questionnaire,

and pencil before leaving the reserve today.

In this booklet you’ll find

• Images and background information for the two species of

monkeys that live in the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve

• Images of a few trees and plants that monkeys visit or eat

• Images of other mammals that may be mistaken for monkeys

• A map of the reserve

You may want to look at the Monkey Questionnaire before your

hike, so that you know what to look for. ¡Gracias!

This booklet was paid for by visitor donations to Cloudbridge

Ateles geoffroyi (commonly referred to as

spider monkey, mono araña, and mono

colorado) These monkeys range from Mexico

to Colombia, from sea level to at least 2,800

meters (the entrance to Cloudbridge is at

approximately 1,560 meters). They occur

mostly in large expanses of old growth

(primary) forest. By day, these monkeys forage

in the upper levels of the canopy. They spend

most of their time eating fruits, as well as the

young leaves of trees such as figs and

Cecropias, flowers, bark, insects, and honey.

Their long arms and strong fingers allow them

to brachiate, to swing hand to hand among

branches. They have a strong prehensile

(branch wrapping) tail which is sometimes used to move through trees.

They live in large groups of 20 to 40 individuals and typically break off into

much smaller groups of two to six individuals during the day. Births may

occur at any time of year and the young ride on the mother for

approximately the first three months. It is difficult to tell the sex of an

individual spider monkey; males and females look alike. They make many

different sounds including raspy squeaks, screams, and horse-like

whinnies. They are important seed dispersers; after consuming fruits, the

seeds pass through their digestive tracts and then germinate in the

environment. Populations are vulnerable to deforestation and we are

hoping that their numbers increase as the Cloudforest reforestation

project continues. (Adapted from The

Natural History of Costa Rican Mammals, by

Mark Wainwright © 2002)

Cebus capucinus (commonly referred to as white faced monkey, capuchin,

and mono carablanca) These monkeys range from Belize to northwestern

Colombia and northern Ecuador, from sea level to approximately 3,000

meters (10,000 feet). Part of their scientific name, capucinus, reflects the

similarly colored outfits of Capuchin monks (as well as cappuccino coffee).

These monkeys travel through all

levels of the forest canopy in groups

of up to 30 individuals. They are

omnivorous, meaning they eat

animal and plant matter, with fruit

and insects comprising most of their

diet. They also eat other plant parts,

such as new leaves and flowers,

especially when fruit is scarce.

Capuchins often tear apart

bromeliads (a group of plants that

commonly grow on trees) in search

of insects and water and they often

chew the base of leaves, as some

people eat artichokes. Scattered and chewed bromeliad leaves on the

forest floor may be a sign that these monkeys are about. Favorite insect

foods include beetle larvae, butterfly and moth caterpillars, and ant larvae.

Occasionally they eat small birds, eggs, young coatis, lizards, and frogs.

Home ranges vary between 30 and 160 hectares (75 and 400 acres).

Females give birth most often in the dry season (at Cloudbridge Dec.

through April). Mothers carry young until they are able to move about on

their own around five or six months of age. Sounds they make include

hoarse barks when alarmed, and squeals when playing or feeding. Like

spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroy, described above), white faced monkeys

are important seed dispersers and studies have shown that some seeds

germinate more readily if they have passed through the digestive tract.

Cecropia polyphlebia (Commonly called

cecropia tree or guarumo)

Candelabra-like branching and hand-

shaped leaves make this tree easy to

recognize from a distance. Cercropias occur

in open or disturbed habitats, including

light gaps and along streams and roadways.

Monkeys eat new cecropia leaves and

many tree-dwelling mammals eat cecropia

fruits.

Bromeliad spp. (Commonly called bromeliad) Many species of bromeliads

occur in the Cloudbridge Nature

Reserve. In general, they resemble the

tops of pineapples perched on tree

trunks and branches. Spiny, strap-like

leaves collect water and organic debris,

and provide habitat for numerous kinds

of insects and frogs. White-faced

monkeys search inside bromeliads for

animal snacks and sometimes drink from them. They also pluck and chew

on the bases of leaves. Scattered and chewed bromeliad leaves on the

forest floor are a sign that white-faced monkeys are about.

Sloanea terniflora (Commonly called

monkey comb or peina de mono) White-

faced monkeys rub their fur with these

hairy seed pods. How this benefits them is

not known. The behavior may remove

insect parasites from their fur or it might

simply feel

good.

Here are some pictures of other mammals that may be mistaken for

monkeys. We hope you see these, too!

Nasua narica (commonly known as white-

nosed coati or pizote) Coatis are quite

common in the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve.

They are active during the daytime and often

climb trees to obtain fruit or to take a nap.

But they spend most of their time foraging on

the ground.

Eira barbara

(commonly known as tayra or tolomuco)

Although tayras do most of their foraging on

the ground, they are excellent tree climbers.

They are active during the day and most

often travel alone.

Sciurus granatensis

(commonly known as red-tailed squirrel, ardilla,

or chiza) Squirrels are active during the daytime.

They forage in trees and on the ground.

Potos flavus (commonly known as kinkajou or

martilla) Kinkajous are active at night. During the

day they rest in trees and dense vegetation,

usually high in the canopy.

Herpailurus yaguarondi (commonly known as

jaguaroundi or león breñero)

Jaguaroundis are often confused with tayras.

Unlike tayras, they have a long, thin tail and no light fur on the head or

chest. They are active during the day and

will climb trees occasionally to escape or

find food.

Use this map to describe (on the questionnaire) where you’ve seen

monkeys today (or other wildlife). Trail names, landmarks, and direction

would be very helpful to us. For example, “Along the main trail (Cuesta de

la Pizote), 10 meters west of the Vivero Viejo.”