Barbara Brown's titi monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barbara Brown's titi |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Callicebus
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| Species: |
barbarabrownae
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| Geographic range | |
The Barbara Brown's titi monkey (Callicebus barbarabrownae), also called the blond titi monkey, is a small New World monkey. It's a type of titi monkey. This special monkey lives only in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil. Sadly, it is critically endangered, meaning there are very few left. Experts think fewer than 250 adult monkeys remain. It was named after a zoologist named Barbara Elaine Russell Brown.
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Where Do Blond Titi Monkeys Live?
The blond titi monkey is found only in eastern Brazil. It lives in the coastal highlands of the Bahia and Sergipe States. Most of these monkeys live between the Paraguaçu River in the north and the city of Salvador in the south. They also live west towards Mirorós.
Scientists believe there are only about 260 of these monkeys left. Their numbers are still going down. Because there are so few of them, the blond titi monkey is listed as Critically Endangered. In 2012, it was even named one of the World's 25 Most Endangered Primates.
What Is Their Habitat Like?
Blond titi monkeys prefer to live in a dry scrubland called the Caatinga. They especially like parts of the Caatinga that have dense trees. These monkeys spend most of their time in the trees. They probably don't come down to the ground very often.
Titi monkeys are small and very agile. This means they can move quickly and easily. They are good climbers, using all four limbs to move through branches. They can also jump long distances between branches. When they rest, they often hunch their bodies. They might hang their tail over a branch.
How Do Blond Titi Monkeys Live?
Titi monkeys are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. This is when they look for food. They eat fruits, leaves, and insects. They usually rest during the middle of the day.
Male titi monkeys often lead the group when they are searching for food. They use many different sounds and body signals to talk to the rest of their group. Titi monkeys are monogamous, which means they have one partner for life. Their groups usually include the parents and their young. Partners often sit side by side and wrap their tails together. This helps them show their strong bond.
Female titi monkeys usually give birth once a year. This happens during the wet season. They have only one baby after being pregnant for five to six months. Young monkeys grow quickly. They reach their adult size in about ten months.
What Are the Main Threats to Titi Monkeys?
Blond titi monkeys live in a part of Brazil where forests are being cut down. This is called deforestation. Their homes are also being broken into smaller pieces, which is called habitat fragmentation. The biggest threats to these monkeys are:
- Cattle ranching: Land is cleared to raise cows.
- Agriculture: Land is cleared for farming.
- Urbanization: Cities and towns are growing.
New roads and power lines are also being built. This makes it easier for people to develop the area. These developments can also be dangerous for the monkeys. Sometimes, pet dogs and cats can also hunt them.
Because there are so few blond titi monkeys, they face other dangers. Small groups can have problems with their genes and population size. Hunting might be a threat, but probably not a big one because the monkeys are small. Some people have even found these monkeys being kept as pets. Sadly, the blond titi monkey does not live in any officially protected areas.
How Are They Being Protected?
The forests of Bahia are home to many unique species. But only one percent of these forests are protected. Destructive activities continue to harm the area. So, action is needed to protect the blond titi monkey's home.
Several groups are working to help. The Brazilian Institute for the Environment helps study and protect Brazil's endangered primates. Conservation International is helping to create a "Central Biodiversity Corridor." This aims to connect the broken pieces of forest. The WWF is also working on a plan to protect Brazil's Atlantic forests. More research is needed to understand this special monkey. This will help save it from disappearing forever.
