Header Image By: Flickker Photos
Head deep into the Amazon to search for one of South America’s rare and rather unknown monkey. Human hunting and destruction of habitat has seen this unusual species become vulnerable to extinction.
The Amazon’s Bald Uakari
By: Mike Jerrard
Uakari Photo by : linwecarindo (as seen in featured image)
Species Profile: Bald Uakari: cacajao calvus
Description:
This small Amazonian monkey has a shaggy red orange coat with a bare red face resembling that of a Marvel villain. Its reddish face signals good health and makes it more attractive to possible mates.
Where to Find:
- Western Amazon in the countries of Brazil and Peru
- Sierras de Contamana
- Mamiraua and Teiu Lakes
- Yavari and Yavari Mirim Rivers
- Upper Tapiche River
Conservation Status:
Having decreased by nearly 30% over the past decades, the Bald Uakari has been sadly downgraded to vulnerable from near threatened due to the usual causes of rainforest animal declines, habitat destruction, hunting, and the pet trade.
Photo By: Aaron Martin
Interesting Facts:
- Their name is pronounced “wakari
- Live in communal groups up to 100 individuals
- Susceptible to malaria which will show via paleness in their otherwise healthy bright red face
- Unlike other New World monkeys they have rather short tails
- Their strong jaws allow them to crack even extremely tough Brazil nuts
- Red faces caused by a thin epidermis, lack of melanin pigments, and large amount of vascular capillaries
If you enjoyed reading these interested facts, you can find many more incredible facts on FactRetriever.
10 Comments
What amazing creatures. It is such a shame that the growth in our own human civilisation could result in these beautiful creatures being endangered. Were you able to see them up close, Mike? I can’t imagine what they would have been like with their 100 friends! Oh, and I was calling it “ooh-ar-kari” before I read your pronunciation guide, haha!
You had me when you compared their appearance to a Marvel villain :) in all seriousness, it’s always heartbreaking to read about species that are being threatened by our ever-growing encroachment into their territory. Things like this are reasons why we make a point of being eco tourists – for people who don’t understand anymore more than money, make it more lucrative to have these landscapes and creatures wild and alive than on a wall somewhere. Thank you for sharing your experiences with these incredibly unique creatures!
Such beautiful creatures! Wish I had seen them during my time in the Brazilian Amazon. I’m sure it would have been stunning seeing them, especially if they’re in a group of 100! So sad to hear that they are near-threatened now though. I wonder if there are any foundations dedicated to saving them…
I’ve never seen a monkey with that color. They look so cute! What a way to attract mates, huh? I’ve been to both Brazil and Peru, too bad I never got to go to the Amazon. I hope their population doesn’t decrease further. Poor cuties.
Very interested; I have never seen or heard about this species of monkeys. Of course I haven’t been to the amazon but would love to go sometime. Thanks for this enlightening post.
That is something new to me. I never knew monkeys known as Bald Uakari exists. Look at their red face, clearly shows thin epidermis; lack of melatonin pigments and high vascularity. Facts about them are so interesting. But equally sad their no is decreasing because of increasing civilisation and encroachment in their habitats.
I hadn’t heard of the Bald Uakari monkey previously – thank you for the introduction! It’s certainly a unique creature with such a vivid red face. It sounds like they’ve adapted to their environment in many ways – cracking Brazil nuts is tough! – but I’m saddened to read that they are vulnerable in the wild due to the usual suspects of humans and habitat loss. It’s hard to stomach how much damage we do as a species, isn’t it?
I havent heard of this monkey specie before. Now I believe we descend from monkeys ;)! Seriously speaking though, this is amazing! I don’t like monkeys but this is something that I would like to see in person.
Wow I never knew these types of monkeys existed. They do have a Marvel villain look about them. Sad that so many people do terrible things to not only hurt them, but their environment. I would really like to see Peru and Brazil soon. Hopefully I catch a glimpse of one when I do.
It’s so saddening to read about animals who are threatened due to human activity, and this is happening more and more these days. Especially pet trade…disgusts me so much :(
Bald Uakari are beautiful, but then maybe that’s the reason we hunt them, coupled with our greed for land…