Nancy Ma's night monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nancy Ma's night monkey |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aotus
|
| Species: |
nancymaae
|
 |
|
| Nancy Ma's night monkey range | |
The Nancy Ma's night monkey (Aotus nancymaae) is a type of night monkey. These monkeys live in South America. You can find them in countries like Brazil and Peru. This special monkey is named after Dr. Nancy Shui-Fong Ma.
About Nancy Ma's Night Monkey
Nancy Ma's night monkeys are small primates. They are known for their large eyes. These eyes help them see well in the dark. They are called "night monkeys" because they are most active at night.
Where They Live
These monkeys live in forests. They prefer tropical and subtropical areas. Their homes are mainly in the Amazon rainforest. This includes parts of Brazil and Peru. They spend most of their time in trees.
Why They Are Special
Nancy Ma's night monkeys are important for science. Scientists study them to learn about human health. They are used as a model organism. This means they help researchers understand diseases. They can also help test new medicines.
One interesting discovery is about a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone is important for many body functions. Scientists found that the oxytocin in Nancy Ma's night monkeys is a bit different. Before this, it was thought that all mammals had the same oxytocin. This finding helps us learn more about how animals evolve.
