Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part 3
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Special Topic Robin- Feeding Behaviors in Spider Monkeys
Feeding Behaviors in Monkeys and Humans Have Ancient, Shared Roots,
Bolivian Rainforest Study Suggests
A recent study found, surprisingly, that spider monkeys control their diet in a similar way to humans, which is contrary to previous thought. Most monkeys are opportunistic feeders; this means that they will eat as much of a food resource as possible when they happen upon it (e.g. a mango tree full of mangos). Spider monkeys, however, have been found to tightly regulate their protein intake, regardless of seasonal food availability. This eating style has been linked with obesity in humans, and could prove a valuable finding in dealing with animals in captivity.
In this study, Dr. Annika Felton took detailed records of 15 individual monkeys’ movements and eating habits in the Bolivian rainforest. These types of studies are not usually done in such a thorough way; past studies usually collect averages for entire groups of animals. This means that Dr. Felton was able to collect more accurate data and get a clearer picture of the spider monkeys’ diets. Dr. Felton found that the pattern of nutrient intake by spider monkeys was almost identical to that of humans, even though spider monkeys are frugivorous and humans are omnivorous.
In humans, ingesting small amounts of protein and large amounts of carbohydrates and fats can cause obesity. Adjusting the diet can alleviate this condition, and would work the same way for animals in captivity. It is interesting that humans and spider monkeys were found to share similar nutritional intakes, as this would mean that the evolutionary origins of such patterns might be much older than previously thought (i.e. the Paleolithic Era, 2.4 million to 10,000 years ago), as humans and spider monkeys are not very closely related (New World Monkeys split from Old World Monkeys 40 million years ago). However, this might be due to convergent evolution, which means that each species developed the same trait independently of one another.
While figs made up the majority of the diet, the monkeys were found to eat 105 different fruits and vegetables, with the rare supplement of insects. Their protein intake remained constant regardless of the amount of food consumed, and the carbohydrate intake varied widely (if there was more sweet, ripe fruit, they would consume more in a day). To maintain a constant protein intake, the monkeys would eat more of a fruit if it was low in protein, and less of a fruit if it was high in protein. The detailed list of foods eaten that was gathered in this study will prove very valuable for the conservation of spider monkeys in the wild. This is important because the species of fig tree that makes up the majority of the monkeys’ diet is currently being cut down for timber. Because this information is now known, steps can be taken to conserve needed portions of forest for the spider monkeys.
-Oxford University Press (2009, May 20). Feeding Behaviors In Monkeys And Humans Have Ancient, Shared Roots, Bolivian Rainforest Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214940.htm
Special Topic-Erin: Species Spotlight
Black-handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Spider Monkeys get their name from their appearance, with extremely long arms, legs and tails they resemble a spider. Pacific Primate Sanctuary is currently home to two Black-handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). These lanky monkeys are one of the largest New World Primates, often weighing up to 20 pounds. They have tan to reddish bodies, with darker hands and feet and small heads. Their prehensile tail is quite impressive, with a palm like padded area for extra grip; their tails can easily support their entire body weight. While their feet are similar to most other primates with an opposable thumb, their hands are quite unique. Spider monkeys have four long fingers, and no thumb on their hands, which makes their hands hook-like. Their long arms, hook like hands, and flexible shoulder joints allow Spider Monkeys to brachiate, or move across branches and ropes by swinging arm over arm. Brachiation is a rare type of movement, seen only in Gibbons and Spider Monkeys.
Black-handed Spider Monkeys are found along the coasts of Mexico, through Central America and as far south as Northwestern Columbia. They live in mature rainforest and montane forests (forests at higher elevations). They are active during the day, and live in the trees. They spend the majority of their time in the upper levels of the forest, mainly in the canopy but will also use the middle and lower strata. They forage in the high canopy, but tend to travel lower down where the branches are thicker.
Spider Monkeys are highly social, living in groups of 20-30 individuals. These groups are multi-male and multi-female usually with more females in the group than males. Females will leave the group at puberty to find a new group, while the males generally stick together for their entire lives. This is very rare among primates. Another rare trait of Spider Monkeys is the presence of a Lead Female who directs the group, and is in charge of finding food and planning the foraging route each day. If there is not enough food for the entire group, they will split into smaller subgroups for foraging. Spider Monkeys are highly frugivorous (fruit eaters) with 90% of their diet coming from fruits and nuts. They also eat leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects.
Spider Monkeys are highly intelligent, and have a brain that is twice the size of Howler Monkeys with an equivalent body size. Examples of their highly developed intelligence include their complex social system and their knowledge of over 150 species of plants that are used as food.
Black-handed Spider Monkeys are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Unfortunately, their numbers are currently declining. The major threat to these animals is habitat destruction, and they are also subject to pet trafficking in some areas.
-Gorog, A. 2002. "Ateles geoffroyi" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 26, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ateles_geoffroyi.html
-Cuarón, A.D., Morales, A., Shedden, A., Rodriguez-Luna, E. & de Grammont, P.C. 2008. Ateles geoffroyi. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. . Downloaded on 26 March 2010.
-Spider monkey. (2010, March 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:35, March 26, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spider_monkey&oldid=348506024
Rowe, Noel. 1996. The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates / Noel Rowe; foreword by Jane Goodall; introduction by Russell A. Mittermeier, Pogonias Press, East Hampton, N.Y.
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s E-Newsletter. Thank you for your support of our life saving work. Because of compassionate people, the Sanctuary can continue to provide a place of peace and happiness for 70 primates saved from research laboratories, animal dealers, and smugglers. Here they can heal, form families, and live free from exploitation.
You and I are the force for transformation in the world. We are the consciousness that will define the nature of the reality we are moving into. — Ram Dass
This Blog and its content is copyright of Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.—
© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
Special Topic Robin- Feeding Behaviors in Spider Monkeys
Feeding Behaviors in Monkeys and Humans Have Ancient, Shared Roots,
Bolivian Rainforest Study Suggests
A recent study found, surprisingly, that spider monkeys control their diet in a similar way to humans, which is contrary to previous thought. Most monkeys are opportunistic feeders; this means that they will eat as much of a food resource as possible when they happen upon it (e.g. a mango tree full of mangos). Spider monkeys, however, have been found to tightly regulate their protein intake, regardless of seasonal food availability. This eating style has been linked with obesity in humans, and could prove a valuable finding in dealing with animals in captivity.
In this study, Dr. Annika Felton took detailed records of 15 individual monkeys’ movements and eating habits in the Bolivian rainforest. These types of studies are not usually done in such a thorough way; past studies usually collect averages for entire groups of animals. This means that Dr. Felton was able to collect more accurate data and get a clearer picture of the spider monkeys’ diets. Dr. Felton found that the pattern of nutrient intake by spider monkeys was almost identical to that of humans, even though spider monkeys are frugivorous and humans are omnivorous.
In humans, ingesting small amounts of protein and large amounts of carbohydrates and fats can cause obesity. Adjusting the diet can alleviate this condition, and would work the same way for animals in captivity. It is interesting that humans and spider monkeys were found to share similar nutritional intakes, as this would mean that the evolutionary origins of such patterns might be much older than previously thought (i.e. the Paleolithic Era, 2.4 million to 10,000 years ago), as humans and spider monkeys are not very closely related (New World Monkeys split from Old World Monkeys 40 million years ago). However, this might be due to convergent evolution, which means that each species developed the same trait independently of one another.
While figs made up the majority of the diet, the monkeys were found to eat 105 different fruits and vegetables, with the rare supplement of insects. Their protein intake remained constant regardless of the amount of food consumed, and the carbohydrate intake varied widely (if there was more sweet, ripe fruit, they would consume more in a day). To maintain a constant protein intake, the monkeys would eat more of a fruit if it was low in protein, and less of a fruit if it was high in protein. The detailed list of foods eaten that was gathered in this study will prove very valuable for the conservation of spider monkeys in the wild. This is important because the species of fig tree that makes up the majority of the monkeys’ diet is currently being cut down for timber. Because this information is now known, steps can be taken to conserve needed portions of forest for the spider monkeys.
-Oxford University Press (2009, May 20). Feeding Behaviors In Monkeys And Humans Have Ancient, Shared Roots, Bolivian Rainforest Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214940.htm
Special Topic-Erin: Species Spotlight
Black-handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Spider Monkeys are highly social, living in groups of 20-30 individuals. These groups are multi-male and multi-female usually with more females in the group than males. Females will leave the group at puberty to find a new group, while the males generally stick together for their entire lives. This is very rare among primates. Another rare trait of Spider Monkeys is the presence of a Lead Female who directs the group, and is in charge of finding food and planning the foraging route each day. If there is not enough food for the entire group, they will split into smaller subgroups for foraging. Spider Monkeys are highly frugivorous (fruit eaters) with 90% of their diet coming from fruits and nuts. They also eat leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects.
Spider Monkeys are highly intelligent, and have a brain that is twice the size of Howler Monkeys with an equivalent body size. Examples of their highly developed intelligence include their complex social system and their knowledge of over 150 species of plants that are used as food.
Black-handed Spider Monkeys are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Unfortunately, their numbers are currently declining. The major threat to these animals is habitat destruction, and they are also subject to pet trafficking in some areas.
-Gorog, A. 2002. "Ateles geoffroyi" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 26, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ateles_geoffroyi.html
-Spider monkey. (2010, March 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:35, March 26, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spider_monkey&oldid=348506024
Rowe, Noel. 1996. The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates / Noel Rowe; foreword by Jane Goodall; introduction by Russell A. Mittermeier, Pogonias Press, East Hampton, N.Y.
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Pacific Primate Sanctuary’s E-Newsletter. Thank you for your support of our life saving work. Because of compassionate people, the Sanctuary can continue to provide a place of peace and happiness for 70 primates saved from research laboratories, animal dealers, and smugglers. Here they can heal, form families, and live free from exploitation.
You and I are the force for transformation in the world. We are the consciousness that will define the nature of the reality we are moving into. — Ram Dass
© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part 2
WHAT’S HAPPENING at PPS?
PPS Extension
We are currently in the process of building more outdoor enclosures to accommodate the monkeys now living indoors in portables. Construction of the new Extension is now well under way, and the Sanctuary is in urgent need of funds for this vital project.
Thanks to Steven, work is getting done on the on the much-needed Marmoset and Tamarin extension! Despite all the rain, the foundation has been poured and the framework will soon be complete. Next, the roof will go up. Steven is also working out the design details with Jeff Smith at Corners LTD. Jeff is planning to come to Maui to install the pre-made panels in June.
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| Steven and Jonathan Framing the New Extension |
We Need Your Help
Please join with us in our life saving work. With your help, we can build the new
addition with outdoor enclosures for the monkeys now living indoors.
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| PPS Extension design |
Rescue Fund
Please help the monkeys by contributing to our Rescue Fund. This fund will allow us to provide homes for at risk animals needing to be brought to the Sanctuary immediately. Laboratories and pet owners often have deadlines for placement and may not contribute to the costs involved in getting the animal to Pacific Primate Sanctuary and for providing housing and care.
For example: we were just contacted about rescuing a pet monkey in Washington who is facing euthanization after his “owner” became too sick to care for him. Airfare alone for the marmoset will be over $300. Please contribute to our Rescue Fund to help with these emergencies.
Send your tax-deductible donations to:
Pacific Primate Sanctuary
500-A Haloa Road
Haiku, HI 96708
Or donate on our website, www.pacificprimate.org using PayPal.
PPS PEOPLE in the SPOTLIGHT
Meet PPS Volunteer Judi
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Festive Judi, gift wrapping at the PPS holiday fundraiser |
Not only is Judi very reliable about driving from Kahakuloa (a very long drive from Haiku!) to volunteer for her weekly animal care shift, she is also the first to sign up for any special events. She came in every single week during the month of our gift-wrapping fundraiser and always stayed longer than she was signed up for. Judi also proposed to organize a Silent Auction as a fundraiser for the Sanctuary, and is currently working on making that a reality. Aunty Judi frequently thinks about what can be done to help the monkeys and is always spreading the word about Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
One particularly unique and helpful skill that Judi has contributed to the Sanctuary is her amazing sewing ability! When Judi first came to the Sanctuary, many of the monkeys’ soft sleeping houses were in desperate need of mending. Judi mentioned that she could sew, and offered to help mend the hammocks. We soon realized that Judi was a seamstress wizard!! Not only could she mend the tattered hammocks, she soon began making sleeping houses and tents from scratch. She customizes the sleeping houses for the individual preferences of each monkey as well! Otis used to chew holes along the bottom edge of his sleeping house, but Judi created a sleeping house with a hole already there, and Otis is no longer chewing. Frieda used to chew holes in between the top layers of her sleeping house, and Judi fixed this as well. She created a sleeping house with a pocket on the top for Frieda to cuddle into. Judi has also solved a problem we were having with carpets by sewing a special covering around all the edges. We can now place carpets in the bottom of sleeping houses without having to worry about the carpets unraveling. Judi spends countless hours at home on all these special sewing projects for the monkeys. We are so blessed to have Judi as part of our Sanctuary ‘Ohana!
PPS INTERNSHIP
The PPS internship has become a coveted position and the selection process for future interns is on going. We currently have an applicant from Harvard and another from Oxford University! Thank you Dr. Bud, Erin, Robin, Dana and Lucy for your input on our Intern applicants’ documents. Your input and insights are greatly appreciated.
This Blog and its content is copyright of Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.—
© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
Primate Update E-Newsletter, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part 1
Carlos and Montana
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Carlos and Montana surveying heir new surroundings |
After the Capuchin monkeys moved to the new PPS facility in 2000, we left the 2 round enclosures standing. Lucy was holding the space open for Carlos and Montana to come here. It has been a long road for the two brothers: born at the Honolulu Zoo, then transferred to the now defunct Maui Zoo, then moved to the tourist attraction where they were on public display, next door to the restaurant, for 16 long years.
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Carlos has a home at PPS |
PPS Volunteers spent time working with Carlos and Montana to habituate them with a traveling crate. They were soon comfortable entering the crate, which made the transition smooth and less stressful for the two Spider Monkeys.
We held their hands and sang to them in their travelling crate and they closed their tired eyes. They were safely transferred to Pacific Primate Sanctuary on Sunday March 7, 2010.
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| PPS welcomes Montana |
The two boys were unsure of their new environment at first, but have now settled comfortably into their new home. They really seem to enjoy the many branches and ropes in their enclosure. They have been swinging with great agility from branch to rope— back and forth across their new habitat. They are temporarily living in the round enclosure at Lucy and Steven’s until we can create a larger enclosure for them up at the Sanctuary.
We are designing a 40-foot long enclosure where they will eventually be able to brachiate, moving hand over hand through the greenery, for the first time.
We are very excited to welcome them to Pacific Primate Sanctuary! Now they can finally live in a place of peace and loving-kindness.
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Fern and Xylophone warm under their heat lamp |
Happily, we were able to pair two lone monkeys this month! Leonardo had been living with his brother Sebastian until last month, when we realized that these two boys were ready for female companions. Sebastian was paired with Allegra last month, and the two really seem to be enjoying one another’s company. Leonardo has now moved in with Allegra’s sister Dyna. The pair is getting along wonderfully so far! We have seen them grooming each other, and spending lots of time together outdoors.
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PPS Volunteer, Jessica, gathering fresh flowers for the monkeys |
MEET MORE MONKEYS
Gaia, a Saddleback Tamarin, examines a yellow ginger flower. This flower has a sweet nectar-filled tube in the center. The monkeys love to eat this special treat.
Deidre, a Black-tufted Ear Marmoset, clings to a branch in her outdoor enclosure.
This Blog and its content is copyright of Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.—
© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
This Blog and its content is copyright of Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc.—
© Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following:
you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only
you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material
You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.
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