Three-Striped Night Monkey

Aotus trivirgatus

The three-striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus), also called the three-striped owl monkey, is a small nocturnal New World monkey from northern South American forests. Older books used Aotus trivirgatus for many night monkeys, so modern references may treat the name more narrowly than historic zoo or research records. It has large brown eyes, a rounded head, a long non-prehensile tail, and a pale face marked by three dark vertical stripes. Family groups sleep in tree holes or dense vegetation by day, then forage at night for fruit, insects, nectar, leaves, and other small foods.

Zoos, primate centers, and regulated research colonies manage night monkeys very differently from daytime monkeys. Enclosures need dim or reversed lighting, quiet nest boxes, fine climbing routes, and stable pair or family housing; males often do much of the infant carrying. Diets are measured to prevent excess sugar while still encouraging nocturnal foraging. The genus has been used in malaria and vision research, making accurate species identification and health screening important. Private pet keeping is generally inappropriate and often restricted, and long-term stewardship depends on protecting intact forest canopy.