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Wildlife
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Squirrel Monkey
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An endemic species in the Amazon, black-capped squirrel monkeys are elusive and need a keen eye to spot them swinging in the canopies while on a river cruise in the Amazon.

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An Amazonian native, the black-capped squirrel monkey can be found in Bolivia, western Brazil, and Eastern Peru. It can be differentiated from other kinds of squirrel monkeys by the namesake black fur on its head, which looks like a cap.

 

Like most primates, black-capped squirrel monkeys tend to live in large troops composed of as many as 75 monkeys. They search for food together, feeding on a range of fruits, seeds, and insects. Although they prefer a plant-based diet, the monkeys can end up relying entirely on animal prey during the dry season.

 

Black-capped squirrel monkeys have tails which are longer than their head and body combined. Despite this, their tails aren’t prehensile, meaning they can’t use them to swing from tree to tree. They do help the monkeys maintain a better balance though. This is especially useful as they’re known to live among the canopies.