South American macaque (SciiFii)

The South American macaque (Americamacaca communis) is a species of New World monkey part of the Cebidae family most closely related to the capuchin monkeys, despite its name, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, swamps, forests, open woodlands, and grasslands of South America to help boost biodiversity. The South American macaque is brown or grey in color and has a pink face, which is bereft of fur. It is a rather large New World monkey, with males measuring about 53 centimeters (21 inches) on average and weigh about 7.7 kg (17 lb). Females are smaller, averaging 47 centimeters (19 inches) in length and 5.3 kg (12 lb) in weight. South American macaques are diurnal animals, and both arboreal and terrestrial. They are quadrupedal and, when on the ground, they walk digitigrade and plantigrade. They are mostly herbivorous, feeding mainly on fruit, but also eating seeds, roots, buds, bark, and cereals. They are estimated to consume around 139 different plant species in 53 families. During the monsoon season, they get much of their water from ripe and succulent fruit. South American macaques living far from water sources lick dewdrops from leaves and drink rainwater accumulated in tree hollows. They have also been observed eating termites, grasshoppers, ants, and beetles. When food is abundant, they are distributed in patches, and forage throughout the day in their home ranges. They drink water when foraging, and gather around streams and rivers. South American macaques have specialized pouch-like cheeks, allowing them to temporarily hoard their food. In psychological research, South American macaques have demonstrated a variety of complex cognitive abilities, including the ability to make same-different judgments, understand simple rules, and monitor their own mental states. They have even been shown to demonstrate self-agency, an important type of self-awareness. Like many other New World monkeys, South American macaque live in social troops. However, the troops of South American macaques are more complex, comprising a mixture of 20–200 males and females. Females may outnumber the males by a ratio of 4:1. Males and females both have separate hierarchies. Female philopatry, common among social mammals, has been extensively studied in South American macaques. Females tend not to leave the social group, and have highly stable matrilineal hierarchies in which a female's rank is dependent on the rank of her mother. In addition, a single group may have multiple matrilineal lines existing in a hierarchy, and a female outranks any unrelated females that rank lower than her mother. The conservation status of the South American macaque is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the South American macaque's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.