Black-capped Squirrel Monkey: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Monkeys of the Americas · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its black cap and the rounded white arches over its eyes, called a Roman arch, set it apart from other squirrel monkeys.
2. Troops are big, around 45 to 75 monkeys, and the females are in charge. They push the males out to the edges of the group.
3. It often tags along with capuchins. Their very accurate alarm calls warn of danger, and staying close helps it get at more food.
4. An early riser, it starts foraging 40 to 60 minutes before sunrise. Given the choice, it prefers insects to fruit.
5. Babies are the chatterboxes, peeping more than adults. Grown females keep in touch with soft chucks when leaves block the view.

The quiz

1. What marks sit above the black-capped squirrel monkey's eyes?

• Red spots
• Rounded white arches (correct)
• Long whiskers
• Black stripes

It has white Roman-type arches over its eyes, narrower and rounder than in other species.

2. Who is in charge in a black-capped squirrel monkey troop?

• The oldest male
• The females (correct)
• The youngest monkeys
• A single leader chosen each year

Troops are dominated by females, who keep males at the edges.

3. Why does it like to travel with capuchin monkeys?

• Capuchins carry its babies
• Capuchins share their nests
• Capuchins give accurate alarm calls (correct)
• Capuchins groom it every day

Capuchins have a highly accurate alarm system that warns of predators.

4. Which food does it prefer when it has the choice?

• Insects (correct)
• Fruit
• Tree bark
• Grass

Studies observed that it prefers insects to fruit.

5. Why do adult females make soft chuck calls?

• To scare away birds
• To find water
• To call the rain
• To stay in touch in thick leaves (correct)

Chucks keep the group in contact where they cannot see each other.

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