Monito del Monte means "little mountain
monkey." These guys prefer to live in humid,
dense forests. They are also known to the people
of Chile and Argentina as the Colocolo or Chimaihuén.
The Monito del Monte is a marsupial,
related closly to the marsupials of Australia, even though they
are found exclusively in South America. They are very small,
almost the size of a mouse. Their tail is prehensile, as they
use it to help climb. It is not as advanced as a monkey, but
useful nonetheless. They are nocturnal animals, meaning they
are active at night.
These 'little mountain monkeys' can be commonly
found in thick forests, where the humidity is rather high. They
also seem to crowd around areas where Chilean Bamboo is found.
Like birds, the Monito del Monte creates nests
for its home and its young. Their nests can be found everywhere,
on the ground or in the trees because they are semi-aboreal.
When the young are moved around, they are pocketed in their
mother's pouch, like other marsupials.
Monito del Monte's eat insects and small amounts
of fruit.
History
The history of the Monito del Monte goes back
a long way. The Microbiotheria (an ancient mammal order), is
survived only by the Monito del Monte. As well, they are the
only member of their family, the Microbiotheriidae. They used
to be classed in the same family as some Opossum's, but was
then proved to be false. Their ancestors were spread out over
South America, Antartica and Australia when all were one continent.
