Equatorial saki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Equatorial saki |
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Pithecia
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| Species: |
aequatorialis
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The equatorial saki (Pithecia aequatorialis) is a type of saki monkey. It is also known as the red-bearded saki. You can find this monkey in parts of northeastern Peru and Ecuador.
Scientists do not know much about the equatorial saki yet. For example, its exact home range is still a bit of a mystery.
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What Does the Equatorial Saki Look Like?
The equatorial saki is a medium-sized monkey. It usually weighs between 2 and 2.5 kilograms (about 4.4 to 5.5 pounds). Its body, from head to rump, is about 39 to 44 centimeters (15 to 17 inches) long. Its tail is even longer, measuring 45 to 47 centimeters (17 to 18 inches).
Unlike some other monkeys, the equatorial saki's tail cannot grab things. This means it relies on its strong arms and legs to swing and leap from branch to branch. Males and females of this species look different, which is called being sexually dimorphic. People sometimes confuse the equatorial saki with the monk saki. However, the equatorial saki has a reddish throat and chest, which helps tell it apart.
How the Equatorial Saki Lives
Daily Life and Diet
The equatorial saki is a diurnal animal. This means it is active during the day and rests at night. Its diet mainly consists of fruits, so it is known as a frugivore. However, it also eats a lot of seeds and nuts. Sometimes, it will munch on leaves and insects, especially ants. It is even able to eat fruits that have very hard outer shells.
This monkey spends most of its time looking for food. It usually forages in the middle and upper parts of the rainforest trees, which is called the canopy.
Where They Live
Red-bearded sakis are often found near rivers. They like forests that get flooded during certain seasons or swampy areas. However, they have also been seen in drier "terra firme" forests.
How They Move
The red-bearded saki moves through the forest in a couple of ways. It can walk on all four limbs, which is called quadrupedal movement. It also moves by leaping from one tree branch to another. When it jumps, it often pushes off from a vertical position, clinging to a tree trunk or branch.
Social Life
Equatorial sakis live in small groups, usually with two to four monkeys. These small groups sometimes come together to form larger gatherings. Scientists describe these groups as "closed social units," meaning they stick together. In these groups, male sakis have been observed grooming their young ones.
See also
In Spanish: Sakí ecuatorial para niños
