The Main Monkey Species in Costa Rica
There are four species of monkeys in Costa Rica, which are the capuchin, howler, spider, and squirrel. Monkeys inhabit a wide range of habitats, from the rainforest canopy to the scrubby undergrowth of the dry forests. Renting a car in Costa Rica
Nevertheless, each species occupies its own niche and the species rarely meet. They are definitely the most noisy jungle inhabitants. They are not afraid to announce their presence with their howls, chatterings, and screeches. According to experts, the howler monkey’s explosive roar is considered to be the loudest sound in the animal kingdom.
The capuchin also known as the white-faced monkey, is the smartest and most curious of the Costa Rican monkeys. Capuchins range widely throughout the wet lowland forests of the Caribbean coast and the deciduous dry forests of the Pacific Northwest below 1,500 meters. They can be spotted in Santa Rosa and Manuel Antonio National Parks. Here family troops are constantly roaming, hunting through the treetops and over the forest floor. They look for food searching under logs and leaves, they can also tear off bark as they seek out insects and small lizards. Car rental Costa Rica airport
Additionally, capuchins also steal birds’ eggs and nestlings. The ones who inhabit the coast also like oysters and other mollusks, which they break open on rocks. They can eat many different kinds of food, but they are very meticulous as they usually test the fruit for ripeness by smelling and squeezing. Capuchins sometimes also raid crops, especially corn.
The howler known in Spanish as mono congo is the most abounding and the largest of the Costa Rican monkeys. It can weigh up to five kg. It can inhabit both lowland and montane forests throughout Costa Rica. It is less sensitive to habitat destruction than other monkeys and can be found in many parts of the forest.
Howlers are not especially aggressive, but they emit what seems to be an aggressive sound. The males start each day with explosive roars. Their loud vocalizations can carry for almost a mile in the jungle. The males start singing in chorus again at dusk or when trespassers get too close. They have the ability to make these sounds due to their large larynxes and throats that inflate into resonating balloons. Females generally content themselves with loud wails and groans, to show distress or to call their infants. These monkeys feed on leaves and fruit, but they can also eat anything that grows.
They are also very selective feeders.
The smallest Costa Rican primate is the squirrel monkey known locally as the mono titi. It can measure 25-35 cm, plus a tail up to 45 cm. Squirrels are more gregarious than most other monkeys. They can form bands of 40 individuals or more.
They are arboreal creatures and feed on fruits, insects, small lizards. The mono titi is considered an endangered species.
The spider money or mono colorado, is the acrobat of the forest. Unfortunately, they are very sensitive to human intrusion and are among the first primate species to decline with human disturbance. Land clearance and hunting have greatly reduced spider monkey populations throughout much of their former range. If you come across them you will see how they rattle the branches and bark and screech loudly, demonstrating their courage.
Visit Costa Rica and its national parks and learn more about its monkeys and how to protect their habitat, while having a great vacation.