White-faced Saki Monkey - Five Sisters Zoo

A species of New World monkey, the White-faced Saki Monkey is found in countries including Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and Brazil. They are an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species, rarely venturing to the ground from the tree canopy. Males and females are sexually dimorphic, meaning their appearance is significantly different- only the males possess the white face, with females having red or orange fur around their face, and some additional light-coloured fur to either side of their mouth. Males will also have body hair that is inky black, nearly purple, whereas females will have lighter hair. Saki monkey’s have a modified grip, with a gap between their index and middle fingers where they will hold things rather than between thumb and index fingers like other monkeys.

 

 

Facts

Diet: Omnivores; primarily seeds and nuts, with some flowers, fruit and invertebrates.

Weight: 2kg

Body length: 60-84cm with the tail being approximately 50% of the length

Habitat: Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and northern Brazil; multiple types of forest, including tropical rainforest and flooded forest, with dense vegetation

Life span: 15 years in the wild, over 30 years under human care

Adapted to Survive

  • Can leap up to 10m to evade predators and access resources
  • Both males and females are able to raise the hair on their body, or piloerect, which makes them appear bigger to deter potential threats

Threats

  • Poaching
  • Habitat loss by deforestation
  • Illegal wildlife and pet trade

IUCN Conservation Status

Least Concern

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