Red howler monkeys, like other howlers, are unusual in that they eat large quantities of leaves and flowers, and less fruit and animal matter than other monkeys. They have a modified digestive tract that enables them to ferment and digest plant matter (similar to cows), and they are relatively inactive for long periods of time when they "busy" digesting. The fact that they are less active than other monkeys often permits them to go unnoticed, and they may persist in heavily disturbed areas. Because of their specialized diet, howlers do poorly in captivity and rarely survive long. This young household pet is actually quite healthy, however - it is just bored and in a digestive mood.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Red uakari monkeys are a rare and endangered species of varzea (seasonally flooded) forest and swamps. These monkeys occur only on the south side of the Amazon in the region in which Project Amazonas operates. Although they have red fur, similar to red howler monkeys, uakaris are very different in many ways, including their bare red face and a very short tail.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Unlike other monkeys in the Amazon, wild uakaris apparently spend considerable amounts of time on the ground, and seem to be completely comfortable doing so. Troop sizes can be very large, with several dozen individuals. Males grow about 1/3rd larger than females, and develop prominent canine teeth.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Uakaris are restricted to varzea and swamp forest habitats. Unfortunately for them, varzea habitat is easily penetrated during flood season by hunters in canoes. In much of the Amazon, varzea forest is also being heavily logged or completely cleared for use by ranchers. With the dual threat of habitat destruction and hunting, these monkeys face an uncertain future.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Red uakaris are inquisitive by nature, and are continually sampling anything they come across for edibility. They eat fruit, nuts and seeds, some vegetation (leaves, buds, tubers), large insects and small vertebrates.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Red uakari monkeys are rare in zoos, where they are considered to be delicate and difficult to keep alive. Local people in the Amazon occasionally keep them, however, where they seem to be very engaging and hardy. When content, red uakaris purr like a cat, and pet individuals are very social, and never more content when their belly is being rubbed. While charming, they are also capable of considerable mischief, and get into everything, particularly when food might be involved!
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Capuchin monkeys are medium-sized monkeys that are widespread through the Neotropics. They are omnivorous, eating fruits, flowers, large insects, small vertebrates and birds eggs. They tend to be messy eaters, dropping considerable quantities of food to the forest floor beneath. When they spot a predator or an intruder into their territory, they may also hurl broken branches and other material in the direction of the intruder, or attempt to urinate on them from above. In many portions of the Amazon, capuchins are hunted, however, and quickly flee when humans approach.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Capuchin monkeys may travel in large troops, and typically have large home ranges. When they want, they can travel very quickly through the forest canopy, and they are capable of olympic-length leaps between trees. The capuchin pictured here has launched itself into space - aiming for the lower branches of a neighboring tree.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
As with other medium-to-large monkeys, capuchins are frequently hunted for local consumption or for sale to urban markets. The meat is high priced, and thus warrants the purchase of a shotgun shell - most hunting in the region is with shotguns. This individual is being smoked over a small fire, and will be sold in an urban marketplace. The hunter may use the cash to buy tools, clothes, medicines, or other household and family necessities.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Wooly monkeys are the largest of the Peruvian and Amazonian monkeys, at least by weight. They are named after their dense thick coat of fur. These monkeys travel in noisy, wide-ranging groups which can consist of 20 individuals or more. Young wooly monkeys are favored pets throughout much of the Amazon.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Wooly monkeys are very rare anywhere close to human habitation, or in areas easily accessed by hunters. Because of their large size and noisy habits, they are extremely vulnerable to hunting for the bush meat trade. The meat is considered a delicacy in many urban areas in the Amazon, and commands high prices. This smoked and dried wooly monkey was for sale in the Iquitos marketplace. Although the sale of these monkeys (alive or dead) is prohibited by Peruvian law, funding for enforcement of wildlife laws is just not available.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Saddleback tamarins are common in their range south of the Amazon (other species replace them to the north). These small monkeys are too small for local people to bother hunting them, and they are also very tolerant of disturbance. In consequence, they can often be found in secondary habitats and near villages and human habitation.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
Occasionally kept as pets by local children, tamarins are relatively easy to care for. They are less frugivorous than larger monkeys, and most of their diet consist of large insects and small vertebrates. This one positively squeaked with delight when presented with a large praying mantis which it immediately set out to devour, starting with the head.
@ Project Amazonas, Inc., photo by Devon Graham
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Alouatta seniculus - red howler monkey (Spanish: coto mono)
Red howler monkeys, like other howlers, are unusual in that they eat large quantities of leaves and flowers, and less fruit and animal matter than other monkeys. They have a modified digestive tract that enables them to ferment and digest plant matter (similar to cows), and they are relatively inactive for long periods of time when they "busy" digesting. The fact that they are less active than other monkeys often permits them to go unnoticed, and they may persist in heavily disturbed areas. Because of their specialized diet, howlers do poorly in captivity and rarely survive long. This young household pet is actually quite healthy, however - it is just bored and in a digestive mood.
