CAPUCHIN MONKEY a wild and cheeky monkey

Stories

Guans, Eggs, Wasps and Wild Cheeky Capuchin Monkeys

Nearly every time I walk on the jungle trails in the Tambopata region of the Amazon rainforest I come across awesome wildlife.

 

The rainforests of Tambopata are teaming with it. It is always very rewarding seeing some of the elusive animals that reside in the Peruvian jungle. Such as the jaguar, the giant anteater, the river otters, the anaconda, the sloth, the harpy eagle or the Capuchin monkeys to name a few. But witnessing animal behavior in action right in front of you is always the most fulfilling thing that anyone can experience. Irrespective of whether you are watching a rare species or not.

Part One: The Stolen Eggs

After a long and painful morning trek, I was returning to the Refugio Amazonas jungle lodge for lunch at 1 pm, tired, thirsty, and hungry so wasn’t walking quietly anymore; in fact. At the rate I was going, I would be back in 15 minutes, leaving me enough time for a quick shower before lunch. After ten, suddenly a Brown Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella) jumps onto a tree right in front of me. Because it is so close to me, I decide to stop and photograph it. A couple of shots later, the rest of its troop arrive and start foraging for food around me.

This seems like a good opportunity for some monkey shots so I remain with the troop and keep taking photos of the first capuchin that jumped in front of me. Even though this individual wasn’t the largest and strength, it seemed to be the leader of the troop as all the other members were following it.

 

Some wise-looking capuchins.

Some wise-looking capuchins. Photo by Louis Guillot

 

Brown Capuchin

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Brown Capuchin

 

After following them for about twenty minutes I remember that lunch is nearing so I had better get going again. Just as I start to walk away, I hear a big rustling in a nearby tree and see a Spix’s Guan (a kind of jungle turkey) fly out of the tree in a very agitated manner. Seconds later, all the capuchins rush to where the guan flew out from. It turns out this was its nest! It is commonly known that bird eggs and other small animals such as lizards constitute part of the capuchin’s diet. The first individual to enter the nest was the capuchin leader. As quickly as he entered the nest, he exits it…

 

But it is not empty-handed: it is carrying two of the guan’s eggs, one in each hand pressed up against its chest. While the other monkeys are distracted by the discovery of the nest, the thief tries to make a break for it. Except, how can you be quick jumping from tree to tree when you are a monkey and you cannot use your arms as you are carrying one egg in each?

 

So the capuchin starts hopping awkwardly from branch to branch on its two hind legs. If it wants to eat both eggs, it must get to a safe place away from its troop, as they will not hesitate to mob it to steal its treasure. To its dismay, the other monkeys quickly realize that the nest is empty and start pursuing it. The chase is on! It starts running away again. As it does it cracks a hole in one of the eggs and starts eating it! Just as I’m wondering how greedy this little capuchin is, it suddenly drops the half-eaten egg…

 

Was it an accident? Did the egg slip out of its hand? I think not.

 

Brown Capuchin with one Spix’s Guan egg. (Notice the yellow egg yolk on its mouth!)

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Dropping the egg doesn’t only free up one of its hands, thereby increasing its agility and ability to escape but also diverts the chasing pack: the capuchins suddenly have an easy meal right on the jungle floor. They all rush to the ground and fight between themselves to try and claim the egg. This diversion, the lower load, and the freed-up hand give the capuchin leader just enough time to finish eating the second egg before the others resume the chase.

 

The benefits derived from dropping the egg make me believe that this action was purposeful: the leader escapes from the other capuchins (avoiding potential injury) and manages to consume one and a half eggs.

Part Two: Capuchin Monkey Feeding On Wasp Larvae

Capuchin monkey and angry wasps

Capuchin monkey and angry wasps Photo by Louis Guillot

As shown in this photo, a Wild cheeky Capuchin Monkey can be seen amongst a swarm of angry wasps. In fact, when taking this photograph I didn’t notice the wasps: it was only after looking over my photos and zooming in on this one that I saw this interaction. Capuchins are known to attack and destroy wasp nests in search of the nutrient-rich wasp larvae that reside in the nest.

 

Once they empty the nest from the adult wasps, they can then pick out the larvae from the hexagonal cells in the nest and eat them. It does seem like a risky thing to do but Wild cheeky Capuchins Monkeys have thick hair to protect them from the wasp stings, they are also able to escape from the wasp’s thanks to their agile speed in the trees.

 

The benefit these larvae bring to the capuchins outweighs the risks: they obtain a rich snack with a very high protein and fat content. Although I didn’t see the capuchin destroying the nest it is very likely this is what is happening.

 

If this story inspires you, Tour Tambopata and visit the Amazon jungle lodges of Rainforest Expeditions.

About Me: 

I am a wildlife photographer studying zoology at the University of Bristol, UK. In 2016-17, I worked on a research project on parasitic wasps at the London Natural History Museum, reporting to the Head of Entomology, Dr. Gavin Broad. In the summer 2017, I volunteered for the Tambopata Macaw Project and fell in love with the area. I took many photos during my time as a volunteer and learned much about jungle life.

 

You can follow my jungle stories on my Instagram page: louis_guillot (https://www.instagram.com/louis_guillot/). You can also see my photos on my online portfolio: https://louisguillot.smugmug.com/

 

You can contact me here: louisjmguillot@gmail.com

 

by Louis Guillot

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A truly magical experience. It’s set in a completely unique location in the middle of the jungle with no other lodges around. The guide we had (Jarinson) was the best, so so knowledgeable, experienced and lovely to spend the time with. The lodge itself is beautiful and food was great too. Would highly recommend. Read all

Interesting bus and river boat rides bring you to Posada Amazonas on the Tambopata River. It’s managed by the Ese Eja indigenous community. Luis M., our guide, helped us observe birds and learn about plants and other animals. A canopy tower, clay lick and oxbow lake are highlights. All personnel are extremely kind and researchers give short lectures in the evening. The food is delicious! Excellent mosquito netting in rooms! Read all

Wow where do I even begin. This was one of the most unique and special experiences we've ever had. You are smack dab in the middle of nowhere, deep in the Amazon jungle. Surrounded by plants and animals of all kinds and some of the most breathtaking scenery you can imagine. And in the company of scientists doing conservation work all around you. The facility is gorgeous beyond belief. Everything is so thoughtfully prepared, from water servers everywhere to comfy couches to hammocks to raised walkways so you can pad around barefoot without feeling like you're going to step on a scorpion. The meals are positively gourmet. They have delicious fresh juice out for you when you come back from your hikes. We spend 2 days there and I genuinely feel like I saw the jungle. 2-3 excursions a day with a private guide to show you everything from plants to birds to animals to a very tall tower where you can watch the sunset over the canopy. We only had 3 people in our group but I believe there can be up to 7. You have the same guide your whole trip so you really get to know them. Johan was our guide and he was wonderful. And I do believe the number of excursions/type/length can be adjusted based on your groups physical ability. The rooms are beautiful and comfy and they help you prepare mosquito netting at night so you can be comfortable. There's a full bar, in the middle of the rainforest. At night there are short (30 min) lectures you can go to if you want where the scientists talk about their work. Fascinating. We loved that the center was very eco conscious and put a lot of effort into being low impact while also offering a truly luxurious experience. That being said. Do yourself a favor and read the web site. This experience will not be for everyone. Ppl posting negative comments here about the heat, bugs, open rooms, etc did not do their homework. You are far, far inside pristine Amazon jungle. It is hot, humid, rainy, and there are bugs. You can expect to use your lovely shower a few times a day to cool off. Fortunately you have lots of down time during the heat of the day to rest under the ceiling fan in your room. There were lots of grasshoppers, moths etc around our room but honestly we didn't have many issues with biting insects or mosquitos despite visiting during the rainy season (we did use bug spray). Your room has one open wall that faces nature. Yes, technically than means someone could see you walking around naked in your room, but you are 15 feet up in the air and facing directly into thick jungle, there is no one out there besides birds and monkeys to see you. They do cut the brush back so nothing except maybe some birds could get into your room. The sounds are magical at night and during the day. It's hot especially if you go during the rainy season as we did. If you hate bugs or can't handle life without air conditioning, this is not for you. Truthfully we had no issues sleeping. Ventilation is another big benefit of the one open wall. Think of this as the glampiest glamping you'll ever do and you will not be disappointed. Read the web site and reviews thoroughly and you won't be surprised. Being good hiking shoes, a lightweight waterproof jacket, refillable water bottle, a hat, binoculars (you can rent them too), bug spray, and sunscreen. Lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants are essential bc you want to be covered so you won't get bitten or in case you brush up against a nasty plant. We saw monkeys, macaws, capybaras, owls, a caiman, and some cool jungle bugs. The guides even have a telescope you can use to both look at the animals and take great pictures with your phone. once in a lifetime experience in one of the most special and precious ecosystems in the world. Worth every penny and honestly we felt the price was cheap considering what you get. The highlight of our trip to Peru. Thank you so much. Read all

It was our first time in the rainforest and we wouldn't do it any other way. The boat rides on the Madre de Dios and the walks through the rainforests were both exciting and peaceful. Exciting when we spotted wildlife and peaceful as we settled in to hear the sounds and sights of the forest. The lodge was comfortable and the food was great. The research talks in the evenings were a great pre-dinner ritual for us. Do check them out. Saul was an amazing guide - friendly, fun, knowledgeable and very tuned to the rainforest. He could pick up on slight sounds and movements and helped us spot some great wildlife. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature this is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories :) Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Rooms: Rooms are large, spacious with wide open balconies, but no monkeys come in ( they strictly don't encourage wildlife feeding). Nearby activities: Lots of them, morning hikes, afternoon hikes, sunset cruise Walkability: You need to walk a bit, so you need to be mobile Food & drinks: Awesome Buffet, great food. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature this is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories :) Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Read all

The immersion experience was great. Be prepared though to feel hot and full of bug spray much of the time. Wear hiking pants. Not Lulu leggings (too hot). The guides are great and you can do as much or as little as you want. We saw a lot of animals. Read all

Posadas Amazonas is an eco-friendly lodge that makes a huge commitment to preserving the rainforest for generations to come. The food served (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is fresh and delicious! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and caring. A special shoutout to the lodge manager Cesar for ensuring that we had packed meals for the onward journey when we were delayed by a rain storm. The main attractions apart from the abundant wildlife are the canopy tower and nearby Oxbow lake. The canopy tower gives a great 360 degree view of the rainforest and we were fortunate to see monkeys and macaws from the vantage point. At the Oxbow lake we saw river otters and Caimans and we were able to catch a piranha fish as well. Overall, Posada Amazonas is a great lodge owned and operated by the native communities located in the amazing Amazon rainforest. Read all

I had an amazing time here. I was traveling solo and did 4 days/3 nights through Inca Expert Travel. It was an unforgettable experience! I opted for a group tour for the excursions and am glad I did. Our guide, Boris, was fantastic and made sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. I can't say enough good things about him. The rest of the staff were also very kind. I enjoyed the large variety of fresh food at each meal. I felt safe and well-taken care of the entire time. Read all

TRC was an amazing place to stay. Being in the Amazon rainforest was truly like no other trip I have or will ever take. From arrival we were greeted by staff with cool drinks, warm welcomes. Beautiful main area w bar, sofas, tables,games. Our guide Fernando was SO knowledgeable, interesting, enthusiastic,. We already miss his smile and laugh :) We did every excursion available over our 4 days there. The night hike turned out to be our favorite as we spotted the wandering spider then and many other intersting moths/insects. January is hot and humid, so yes expect to be wet,sweaty. Pack extra bag for wet stinky clothes ... Be ok w insects as no 4th wall in your rooms so at night mosquitio nets do a good job preventing bugs in your bed but when you wake up to use bathroom excpect moths, grasshopppers etc in room. All harmless!! TRC does provide nice rainboots for wet swampy treks.. Read all

A perfect experience in the Amazon. Harry, our guide, made the entire experience very memorable. The food is good, the bar is expensive but good and the support staff were excellent. Tanya, the manager, took care of all our needs and was very supportive the entire stay. Please remember that the rooms are open to the nature and therefore comes with its pros and cons. You wake up with the nature including the mosquitos :) The experiences offered by the Refugio is fantastic and provides a great exposure to the Amazon. Dont miss the Macaw trip. It is just magical. Read all

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the getgo, it was easy to coordinate our 4-day stay at Tambopata. The booking was all done via email with quick responses, there was clear communication leading up to our stay and even upon arrival the staff was extremely organized (incl. taking our bags and making sure they arrived to our rooms). During our stay the staff was all very friendly and accomodating, the lodge was always clean (actually impressively clean given it is located in the jungle), and the food was great and plentiful. By far the best part of our stay was our tour guide, Saul. Upon arrival, Saul helped us pick our activities based on what animals we wanted to see (using his 10 years of experience). He worked on timing to make sure we can see as much as possible, was extremely knowledgable on the rainforest, the plants, the insects and the animals and noticeably put in the extra effort to find animals. You can tell that he truly loves his job and was always equally as excited to see the animals as us, even though he has seen them thousands of times. He helped us find monkeys, birds, countless insects, lizards, capybaras ect. I am 100% confident our experience wouldn't be the same without him. He even helped us capture these cool photos with only our iphone!! If you are planning to stay are TRC, I would highly recommend asking for Saul as a tour guide, if possible. Read all

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