Monk saki

Mönchsaffe ( Pithecia monachus)

The Mönchsaffe ( Pithecia monachus) is a primate of the group of New World monkeys.

Features

Monk monkeys are medium sized primates with long, shaggy fur and a bushy tail. They reach a body length 37-48 inches, the tail is up to 50 inches long. The weight is about 2.1 to 2.6 kg, with the males are slightly heavier than the females. Their fur is speckled gray at the top, the bottom is black, the hands and feet are brighter. The gray face is hairless part.

Distribution and habitat

Monk monkeys inhabit the north-western South America. Its distribution area covers the western Brazil, eastern Peru, eastern Ecuador and southern Colombia. Their habitat is forests, mainly rain forests.

Way of life

These primates are diurnal and arboreal, which rarely come to the ground. They often move away on all fours, but can also jumping long distances to travel. They live in small family groups, in which the partners often monogamous, and the solid areas inhabit.

The food of these animals consists mainly of fruits and seeds, to a lesser extent they also take other plant material and insects to him.

After about 170 days of gestation, the female gives birth to usually a single young is born. Unlike other monogamous South American primates the female primarily takes care of the young animal.

Endangering

Main hazards of the monk monkeys are the destruction of their habitat and hunting. These risks do not affect the overall population but to a large extent, so that the IUCN the species as " not at risk " ( least concern ) lists.