For the first time in six years, a Panamanian night monkey - also known as Chocoan night monkey - has been born at the Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands, according to Zooborns. The baby was born Dec. 9 and is currently doing well, living in the Night Monkey Enclosure of the primate park.
There are many things that make Panamanian night monkeys special, reported Zooborns: they are one of the few species of monkey that is monogamous, staying with one mate for life and having multiple babies with them; they live in small packs, usually with up to six monkeys; males tend to carry the infants after birth and the females feed them; as their name suggests, the monkeys are nocturnal, living mostly in forests in South America; and their amazing, huge eyes allow them to get around in dark surroundings.
Panamanian night monkeys have been classified as "data deficient" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, seeing as little information is available about their populations or any threats that could endanger them, said IUCN.
Panamanian night monkeys are small, growing to weigh around two pounds. They get around by walking on all fours and leaping if necessary. They live in the lowlands of Panama and the Choco region of Colombia, explained iNaturalist. It's possible to see night monkeys in Panama if you follow a knowledgeable guide on a monkey tour.
