White-Faced Saki Monkey (Pithecia pithecia)
Common Name: White-Faced Saki Monkey
Scientific Name: Pithecia pithecia
Physical Description: The White-faced Saki Monkey weighs 4-5 lbs on average and grows 12 to 16 inches long. The species is named for the male which has black fur with white faces. Females on the other hand are brown, with white striping on the head.
Habitat: White-Faced Saki Monkeys live primarily in tropical forests, but they can also be found in savannas and palm forests.
Range: They are found in South America in Brazil, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.
Diet: They primarily eat fruit, leaves, seeds, flowers, and termites. White-Faced Saki Monkey may also eat birds and bats.
Lifespan: They live 15 years on average in the wild and up to 35 years in human care1.
Social Structure: They live in family groups of an adult male and female with their offspring. Females give birth to one baby between December and April after a 163 to 176 day gestation. They may have overlapping territories with other species of primates.
Status: Least Concern2
Other: White-faced Saki Monkeys are often called “Flying Jacks” because of the way they jump from tree to tree. These monkeys are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. They are active during the day and vocalize frequently to communicate and keep the group together.
1 https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/pale-headed-saki-monkey
2 https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/43942/192447247
Scientific Name: Pithecia pithecia
Physical Description: The White-faced Saki Monkey weighs 4-5 lbs on average and grows 12 to 16 inches long. The species is named for the male which has black fur with white faces. Females on the other hand are brown, with white striping on the head.
Habitat: White-Faced Saki Monkeys live primarily in tropical forests, but they can also be found in savannas and palm forests.
Range: They are found in South America in Brazil, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.
Diet: They primarily eat fruit, leaves, seeds, flowers, and termites. White-Faced Saki Monkey may also eat birds and bats.
Lifespan: They live 15 years on average in the wild and up to 35 years in human care1.
Social Structure: They live in family groups of an adult male and female with their offspring. Females give birth to one baby between December and April after a 163 to 176 day gestation. They may have overlapping territories with other species of primates.
Status: Least Concern2
Other: White-faced Saki Monkeys are often called “Flying Jacks” because of the way they jump from tree to tree. These monkeys are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. They are active during the day and vocalize frequently to communicate and keep the group together.
1 https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/pale-headed-saki-monkey
2 https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/43942/192447247
Rainforest Building open daily from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
