Bearded Saki

• Common Name: Red-backed Bearded Saki
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1811
• Monkey Size: 41 to 46 cm (16 to 18 in)
• Skin Color(s): Rusty orange
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil

The bearded sakis^[1] or cuxiús are five species of New World Monkeys classified in the genus Chiropotes.

• They live in South America’s central and eastern Amazon and range as far south as Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern and central Brazil.
• Bearded sakis have a unique appearance. Their most distinctive features are their beard and hair.
• The hair on the crown of the head, called the “coronal tufts“, is puffy and round, often forming two distinct spheres.
• This hair pattern is so prominent that some people appear to have two black tennis balls on their heads, like a helmet.
• Their beard only adds to this effect as it is also very round and bulbous. In addition, their head and face are black, and their nose is very flat.
• As in other primates, their eyes are located in the front of the face, allowing binocular vision.
• Their arms and legs are long, flexible, and black. Their tail is covered in long black hairs, giving them an almost fox-like shape.
• The hair on the shoulders and upper back are usually longer than the rest of the body, giving them the appearance of a coat.
• Their backs are a rusty orange, a prominent distinguishing feature from other species in their genus.
• Bearded saki shows slight sexual dimorphism: males are usually taller and have longer, more prominent beards than females.

• Bearded sakis are born with prehensile tails, which they retain for the first two months. This allows them to cling to their mother’s body. After this time, their tail loses grip.
• Like many New World monkeys, bearded sakis are arboreal and diurnal. They live in tropical forests, mainly in the treetops.
• They sleep clinging to the thickest branches at night and never spend consecutive nights in the same tree.
• Within the group, they communicate with birdsong and high-pitched whistles.
• They sometimes mix with other primates, such as capuchin and squirrel monkeys.