THE 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 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 Cebus capucinus (commonly referred to as white faced monkey , capuchin , spider monkey , mono araña , and mono and mono carablanca ) These monkeys range from Belize to northwestern colorado ) These monkeys range from Mexico Colombia and northern Ecuador, from sea level to approximately 3,000 to Colombia, from sea level to at least 2,800 meters (10,000 feet). Part of their scientific name, capucinus , reflects the meters (the entrance to Cloudbridge is at similarly colored outfits of Capuchin monks (as well as cappuccino coffee). approximately 1,560 meters). They occur These monkeys travel through all mostly in large expanses of old growth levels of the forest canopy in groups (primary) forest. By day, these monkeys forage of up to 30 individuals. They are in the upper levels of the canopy. They spend omnivorous, meaning they eat most of their time eating fruits, as well as the and plant matter, with fruit young leaves of trees such as figs and and comprising most of their Cecropias, flowers, bark, insects, and honey. diet. They also eat other plant parts, Their long arms and strong fingers allow them such as new leaves and flowers, to brachiate , to swing to hand among especially when fruit is scarce. branches. They have a strong prehensile Capuchins often tear apart (branch wrapping) tail which is sometimes used to move through trees. bromeliads (a group of plants that They live in large groups of 20 to 40 individuals and typically break off into commonly grow on trees) in search much smaller groups of two to six individuals during the day. Births may of insects and water and they often occur at any time of year and the young ride on the mother for chew the base of leaves, as some approximately the first three months. It is difficult to tell the sex of an people eat artichokes. Scattered and chewed bromeliad leaves on the individual spider monkey; males and females look alike. They make many forest floor may be a sign that these monkeys are about. Favorite different sounds including raspy squeaks, screams, and horse-like foods include beetle larvae, butterfly and moth caterpillars, and ant larvae. whinnies. They are important dispersers; after consuming fruits, the Occasionally they eat small birds, eggs, young coatis, lizards, and frogs. pass through their digestive tracts and then germinate in the Home ranges vary between 30 and 160 hectares (75 and 400 acres). environment. Populations are vulnerable to deforestation and we are Females give birth most often in the dry season (at Cloudbridge Dec. hoping that their numbers increase as the Cloudforest reforestation through April). Mothers carry young until they are able to move about on project continues. (Adapted from The their own around five or six months of age. Sounds they make include Natural History of Costa Rican Mammals, by hoarse barks when alarmed, and squeals when playing or feeding. Like Mark Wainwright © 2002) 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 Here are some pictures of other mammals that may be mistaken for cecropia tree or guarumo ) monkeys. We hope you see these, too! Candelabra-like branching and hand- shaped leaves make this tree easy to Nasua narica (commonly known as white- recognize from a distance. Cercropias occur nosed coati or pizote ) Coatis are quite in open or disturbed habitats, including common in the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve. light gaps and along streams and roadways. They are active during the daytime and often Monkeys eat new cecropia leaves and climb trees to obtain fruit or to take a nap. many tree-dwelling mammals eat cecropia But they spend most of their time foraging on fruits. the ground.

Eira barbara (commonly known as tayra or tolomuco ) Bromeliad spp. (Commonly called bromeliad ) Many species of bromeliads Although tayras do most of their foraging on occur in the Cloudbridge Nature the ground, they are excellent tree climbers. Reserve. In general, they resemble the They are active during the day and most tops of pineapples perched on tree often travel alone. trunks and branches. Spiny, strap-like leaves collect water and organic debris, Sciurus granatensis and provide habitat for numerous kinds (commonly known as red-tailed squirrel, ardilla , of insects and frogs. White-faced or chiza ) Squirrels are active during the daytime. monkeys search inside bromeliads for They forage in trees and on the ground. animal snacks and sometimes drink from them. They also pluck and chew on the bases of leaves. Scattered and chewed bromeliad leaves on the Potos flavus (commonly known as or forest floor are a sign that white-faced monkeys are about. martilla ) are active at night. During the day they rest in trees and dense vegetation, Sloanea terniflora (Commonly called usually high in the canopy. monkey comb or peina de mono ) White- faced monkeys rub their fur with these Herpailurus yaguarondi (commonly known as hairy seed pods. How this benefits them is jaguaroundi or león breñero ) not known. The behavior may remove Jaguaroundis are often confused with tayras. insect parasites from their fur or it might Unlike tayras, they have a long, thin tail and no light fur on the head or simply feel chest. They are active during the day and good. 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.”