Southern Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoids)

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The Muriqui

Have you ever thought it would be neat to have a pet monkey?  Many natives captured the once abundant infant Muriquis for family pets, but sadly the plight of these loveable creatures is in jeopardy.  In the past 400,000 Muriquis lived in South America. Today they are considered to be the some of the world’s rarest mammals. Less than 1000 of these interesting creatures are currently in existence. Ninety-five percent of the land that the Muriquis used to call home has been destroyed.  The story of the Muriquis is in danger of coming to a close in the near future. 

Brazil is the home of these monkeys.  These primates live in the Tupi forests of southeast Brazil and from the southwest of Bahia to Sao Paulo.  Both evergreens and deciduous trees are home to the Muriquis. 

The weight of the Muriquis depends on it gender.  The male usually outweighs the female by several pounds.  The average female weight is 12 kg.

Fruit, leaves and flowers are dished up for the Muriquis family breakfast and dinner.  During hot seasons, the monkeys eat shortly after sunset, then take a mid afternoon nap before eating again at sunset.  The Muriquis will take an hour to warm himself in the sun before eating when it’s colder out.

Baby Muriquis begin to appear during the dry season (May – September).  Rarely does a mother deliver twins.  As the babies become adults, the male Muriquis will stay with his birth group, but the female will move out by the age of seven. 

Muriquis tend to get along well together.  This may be in part due to the fact that they are not territorial.  Males don’t fight for dominance, and embracing is a normal action among the monkey groups.  When a group grows too large in size there does seem to be a few spats.  When this begins to occur, the group will divide into two different groups, going their individual ways during the day.  The contact between these two groups gradually diminishes until they actually become two totally separate units. 

Did you know?

Muriquis are the largest primates in South America.

The Tupi Indians named the Muriquis.

Further Information on the Muriqui:

E-mail info@brazilianfauna.com to add your Muruqui related website.

Bibliography:

www.animalinfo.org/species/primate/bracarac.htm

Box, Ben.  (September 2003).  Footprint South American Handbook 2004.  Footprint Handbooks (80^th edition).