The Saki monkey found in various parts of northern and central South America in the tropical rain forest environment, living in places ranging from geographic locations such as Columbia to Peru and sometimes even Brazil. This new world monkey, have extremely interesting facial features that are quite different from others. Saki monkeys are generally small with either long or short bushy tails. They are generally furry but underneath have a very rough black skin or even sometimes grey or brown depending on what species the Saki monkey is. The face of the Saki monkey is probably one of its most prominent features as they are generally naked accompanied by a hooded shaped head. The Saki monkey can reach lengths of about 30 to 50 centimeters and can weigh up to 5 pounds. The Saki monkey is a diurnal creature, meaning it primarily lives and goes about its daily life during the day, as it feasts and looks for various fruits, flowers, birds, and even small mammals. The Saki monkey has a complex yet common way of communicating, as it will make chirping sounds and can display feelings of aggression or anger through an arched posture, loud growl, or even shaking its entire body. The Saki monkey utilizes and displays its emotions primarily when it feels as if its close kin group and family are in danger. Generally most Saki monkeys live in groups of three to five, and sleep amongst the trees as these monkeys are primarily arboreal and prefer to travel through and from trees and running on their hind legs.
Unfortunately, these extremely interesting and unique looking new world monkeys are in severe danger, as they are not yet put on the critically endangered or even endangered list, however, that does not go to say that these creatures are not facing extremely difficult times from the human population of that region. Most Saki monkeys are killed for their hair for food, as the local and even outside villages will actively attempt to hunt these monkeys as they hold high value in the exploited underground animal market. Furthermore, these animals are being captured frequently and then sold within this market as house pets. The lucrative and malicious pet trade in the south is generally extremely dangerous and often deadly for these monkeys, as the conditions of which the trappers keep them in are anything less than sanitary. Often times these monkeys die before even being sold as they are held in cages too small and go days and even sometimes weeks without food or water. If the Saki monkeys are not captured or killed, often times they must deal with the destruction of their natural habitat and homes. The area that these monkeys generally live in is filled with professional lumber jacks and is under the process of deforestation, which means that these Saki monkeys must move or they put themselves and their families in danger.
White-Faced Saki Monkeys at Moody Gardens
Baby Saki Monkey spends most of its time with his mom
