The Red-faced Monkey, known scientifically as Cacajao calvus, is a rare species that is increasingly difficult to spot due to rampant hunting. When kept in captivity for protection, these monkeys often do not survive long. Currently, the only option left is to let nature determine the fate of this rare monkey species.
The Red-faced Monkey typically lives in groups of 15 to 30 individuals, but sometimes groups can consist of up to 10.
In addition to their social structure, they exhibit several unique “personalities” that distinguish them from other monkey species. While other monkeys are often seen jumping around and chattering all day, the Cacajao calvus presents itself as a rather aloof figure. They are completely silent and move gracefully among the trees. Unlike other “youthful” monkeys, Red-faced Monkeys do not perform daring branch-to-branch leaps. Their bright red faces attract human attention in South America, making them more susceptible to hunting than their counterparts.
The Red-faced Monkey is generally peaceful. They sleep at night and spend their days climbing trees to forage for food. Their primary diet consists of fruits, leaves, insects, and other small creatures. Throughout their lives, they quietly reside high in the treetops, rarely coming down to lower levels.
Another interesting fact about these “silent monkeys” is their preference for living in regularly flooded areas, particularly in the lush forests along the upper branches of the Amazon River in South America.
The breeding season for the South American Red-faced Monkey lasts from May to October. Females can begin reproducing at around three years old, while males mature at approximately five to six years. Every two years, a mother gives birth to one offspring.
The tail of the Cacajao calvus is the shortest among all American monkey species, averaging about 0.6 meters in length, and they typically weigh around 5 kg.
