During our Mother’s Day blogs, we skipped over the two female titi (TEE-tee) monkeys that perch in the treetops above Amazon Rising’s Receding Waters habitat, not because they aren’t moms, but because among monkeys in the genus Callicebus, dad is typically the one who cares for the kids. Aside from the time an infant spends with its mother nursing and being groomed, it is literally in its father’s hands – when it’s not riding on his shoulders. From observations in zoos, the mother’s contact with the baby declines even more as it gets older. As the baby is weaned, the father is the one who shares solid food with it. By the time the baby is 4 months old, dad only carries it when he’s leaping through the trees or when there is perceived danger, and by the little monkey’s sixth month, it is getting around pretty much on its own.

Remember all those times your dad gave you a ride on his shoulders—Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 20!

Posted by Karen Furnweger, web editor