List of platyrrhines facts for kids

The Brown spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) is one type of New World monkey.

Platyrrhini is a group of primates often called New World monkeys. These amazing animals include marmosets, tamarins, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, night monkeys, titi monkeys, saki monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and woolly monkeys. They live in the forests and savannas of South and Central America.

New World monkeys come in many sizes! The smallest is the western pygmy marmoset, which is only about 12 centimeters (5 inches) long, plus its tail. The largest are some types of howler monkeys, which can be up to 92 centimeters (36 inches) long, with a tail just as long. These monkeys mostly eat fruit, leaves, and insects. Many New World monkey species are in danger; 21 species are listed as endangered, and 14 are critically endangered, meaning they are at very high risk of disappearing forever.

What Are New World Monkeys?
Meet the Monkey Families
Images for kids

What Are New World Monkeys?

There are 160 different types of New World monkeys alive today. Scientists divide them into five main groups, called families:

Aotidae (Night monkeys)
Atelidae (Howler, spider, and woolly monkeys)
Callitrichidae (Marmosets and tamarins)
Cebidae (Capuchin and squirrel monkeys)
Pitheciidae (Titi, uakari, and saki monkeys)

Each family has different kinds of monkeys, called genera, and each genus has its own species. For example, the Aotidae family has one genus, Aotus, which includes eleven different night monkey species.

Meet the Monkey Families

Let's explore some of the amazing New World monkeys!

Night Monkeys (Family Aotidae)

Night monkeys are special because they are the only monkeys that are active at night! They have big eyes to help them see in the dark.

Genus **Aotus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – eleven species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Azara's night monkey	A. azarae {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Central and northeastern South America	Size: 24–37 cm (9–15 in) long, plus 31–40 cm (12–16 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Fruit, nectar, flowers, insects, and other small animals	LC Unknown
Peruvian night monkey	A. miconax {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northwestern South America	Size: 24–37 cm (9–15 in) long, plus 31–40 cm (12–16 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, flowers, leaves, buds, and insects	EN Unknown

Howler, Spider, and Woolly Monkeys (Family Atelidae)

This family includes some of the largest New World monkeys. Howler monkeys are famous for their loud calls! Spider monkeys have very long arms and tails, which help them swing through trees.

Howler Monkeys (Genus Alouatta)

Genus **Alouatta** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – twelve species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Black howler	A. caraya {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Central South America	Size: 51–67 cm (20–26 in) long, plus 51–67 cm (20–26 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Leaves, fruit, buds, and flowers	NT Unknown
Yucatán black howler	A. pigra {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and Central America	Size: 52–71 cm (20–28 in) long, plus 50–69 cm (20–27 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, leaves, buds, and flowers	EN Unknown

Spider and Woolly Monkeys (Genus Ateles and Lagothrix)

Genus **Ateles** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – seven species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Brown spider monkey	A. hybridus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northwestern South America	Size: 45–50 cm (18–20 in) long, plus 74–81 cm (29–32 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, honey, decaying wood, termites, and caterpillars	CR Unknown

Genus **Lagothrix** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – two species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey	L. flavicauda {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Western South America	Size: 44–53 cm (17–21 in) long, plus 60–65 cm (24–26 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, leaves, insects, moss, buds, and flowers	CR 1,000–10,000

Marmosets and Tamarins (Family Callitrichidae)

These are some of the smallest New World monkeys. They are known for their long tails and often have unique fur patterns.

Marmosets (Genus Callithrix and Cebuella)

Genus **Callithrix** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – six species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Common marmoset	C. jacchus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Eastern South America	Size: 12–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 29–35 cm (11–14 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Tree sap, insects, spiders, fruit, flowers, nectar, small lizards, bird's eggs, nestlings, and frogs	LC Unknown

Genus **Cebuella** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – two species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Western pygmy marmoset	C. pygmaea {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Western South America	Size: 12–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 17–23 cm (7–9 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Tree gum, sap, resin, insects, small lizards, fruit, flowers, and spiders	VU Unknown

Lion Tamarins (Genus Leontopithecus)

These tamarins have a mane of fur around their faces, like a lion! They are very rare.

Genus **Leontopithecus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – four species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Golden lion tamarin	L. rosalia {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Southeastern South America	Size: 20–37 cm (8–15 in) long, plus 31–40 cm (12–16 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Spiders, snails, small lizards, eggs, small birds, fruit, and vegetables	EN 1,400

Other Tamarins (Genus Saguinus)

Genus **Saguinus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – seventeen species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Cotton-top tamarin	S. oedipus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northwestern South America	Size: 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long, plus 33–40 cm (13–16 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Insects, fruit, and gum	CR 2,000
Emperor tamarin	S. imperator {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Western South America	Size: 23–27 cm (9–11 in) long, plus 35–43 cm (14–17 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, insects, tree sap, lizards, tree frogs, and bird eggs	LC Unknown

Capuchin and Squirrel Monkeys (Family Cebidae)

Capuchin monkeys are very smart and can use tools. Squirrel monkeys are small and quick, often seen in large groups.

Capuchin Monkeys (Genus Cebus and Sapajus)

Genus **Cebus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – four species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Wedge-capped capuchin	C. olivaceus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northern South America	Size: 37–46 cm (15–18 in) long, plus 40–55 cm (16–22 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit, palm nuts, seeds, berries, small vertebrates, and invertebrates	LC Unknown

Genus **Sapajus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – seven species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Golden-bellied capuchin	S. xanthosternos {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Eastern South America	Size: 35–49 cm (14–19 in) long, plus 37–49 cm (15–19 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland Diet: Fruit, seeds, nectar, pith, stems, nuts, berries, flowers, leaves, bird eggs, insects, frogs, small reptiles, birds, bats, other small mammals, oysters, and crabs	CR 2,500

Squirrel Monkeys (Genus Saimiri)

Genus **Saimiri** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – seven species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Guianan squirrel monkey	S. sciureus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northern South America (in green)	Size: About 32 cm (13 in) long, plus 41 cm (16 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit and insects, as well as leaves and seeds	LC Unknown

Titi, Uakari, and Saki Monkeys (Family Pitheciidae)

This family includes monkeys with long, bushy tails like titi monkeys, and uakaris, which have very short tails and often bright red faces. Saki monkeys are known for their thick, shaggy fur.

Titi Monkeys (Genus Plecturocebus)

Genus **Plecturocebus** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – 22 species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Coppery titi monkey	P. cupreus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Western South America	Size: 28–39 cm (11–15 in) long, plus 7–13 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit pulp, leaves, insects and seeds	LC Unknown

Uakaris (Genus Cacajao)

Genus **Cacajao** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – four species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Bald uakari	C. calvus {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Western South America	Size: 38–57 cm (15–22 in) long, plus 14–19 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Seeds, fruit, leaves, nectar, and insects	VU Unknown

Saki Monkeys (Genus Pithecia)

Genus **Pithecia** – {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}} – thirteen species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
White-faced saki	P. pithecia {{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}	Northern South America	Size: 28–46 cm (11–18 in) long, plus 32–46 cm (13–18 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Seeds, leaves, insects and flowers	LC Unknown

Images for kids

Hernández-Camacho's night monkey range
Maranhão red-handed howler range
Amazon black howler range
Reddish-brown bearded saki.png

Reddish-brown bearded saki
Red-backed bearded saki range
Red-backed bearded saki
Uta Hick's bearded saki range
Uta Hick's bearded saki
White-nosed saki range
White-nosed saki
Burnished saki
Equatorial saki
Hairy saki
Miller's saki
Monk saki
Napo saki
Rio Tapajós saki
White-footed saki
Black titi monkey
Collared titi monkey range
Colombian black-handed titi monkey range
Lucifer titi monkey range
Lucifer titi monkey
Red-headed titi monkey range
Ashy black titi monkey range
Ashy black titi monkey
Baptista Lake titi monkey
Brown titi monkey
Caquetá titi monkey.jpg

Caquetá titi monkey
Chestnut-bellied titi monkey range
Hershkovitz's titi monkey range
Hoffmanns's titi monkey range
Madidi titi monkey
Olalla brothers' titi monkey range
Ornate titi monkey range
Ornate titi monkey
Prince Bernhard's titi monkey
Red-bellied titi monkey range
Red-bellied titi monkey
Rio Beni titi monkey range
Rio Mayo titi monkey range
Stephen Nash's titi monkey range
Toppin's titi monkey
Urubamba brown titi monkey
Vieira's titi monkey
White-coated titi monkey range
White-coated titi monkey
White-eared titi monkey
White-tailed titi monkey range
White-tailed titi monkey
Atlantic titi monkey
Atlantic titi monkey range
Barbara Brown's titi monkey range
Black-fronted titi monkey
Black-fronted titi monkey range
Coastal black-handed titi monkey range
Coastal black-handed titi monkey
Coimbra Filho's titi monkey
Coimbra Filho's titi monkey range
Black-headed marmoset range
Black-tailed marmoset
Black-tailed marmoset range
Emilia's marmoset
Emilia's marmoset range
Gold-and-white marmoset
Gold-and-white marmoset range
Hershkovitz's marmoset
Hershkovitz's marmoset range
Marca's marmoset range
Maués marmoset range
Munduruku marmoset
Munduruku marmoset range
Rio Acarí marmoset range
Rondon's marmoset
Rondon's marmoset range
Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset range
Santarem marmoset
Santarem marmoset range
Satéré marmoset range
Schneider's marmoset
Mico schneideri and M. emiliae range map.webp

Schneider's marmoset range
Silvery marmoset
Silvery marmoset range
White marmoset
White marmoset range
Andean saddle-back tamarin
Andean saddle-back tamarin range
Cruz Lima's saddle-back tamarin
Cruz Lima's saddle-back tamarin range
Geoffroy's saddle-back tamarin
Geoffroy's saddle-back tamarin range
Illiger's saddle-back tamarin
Illiger's saddle-back tamarin range
Lesson's saddle-back tamarin
Lesson's saddle-back tamarin range
Red-mantled saddle-back tamarin
Red-mantled saddle-back tamarin range
Weddell's saddle-back tamarin
Weddell's saddle-back tamarin range
Black lion tamarin
Black lion tamarin range
Golden-headed lion tamarin
Golden-headed lion tamarin range
Superagüi lion tamarin
Superagüi lion tamarin range
Black-tufted marmoset
Black-tufted marmoset range
Buffy-headed marmoset
Buffy-headed marmoset range
Buffy-tufted marmoset
Buffy-tufted marmoset range
White-headed marmoset
White-headed marmoset range
Wied's marmoset
Wied's marmoset range
Eastern pygmy marmoset
Goeldi's marmoset
Goeldi's marmoset range
Brown-mantled tamarin
Brown-mantled tamarin range
Black-mantled tamarin
Black-mantled tamarin range
Black tamarin
Black tamarin range
Cotton-top tamarin range
Eastern black-handed tamarin range
Geoffroy's tamarin
Geoffroy's tamarin range
Golden-handed tamarin
Golden-handed tamarin range
Golden-mantled tamarin
Golden-mantled tamarin range
Martins's tamarin range
Mottle-faced tamarin
Mottle-faced tamarin range
Moustached tamarin
Moustached tamarin range
Pied tamarin
Pied tamarin range
Red-capped tamarin
White-footed tamarin
White-footed tamarin range
White-lipped tamarin
White-lipped tamarin range
White-mantled tamarin
White-mantled tamarin range
Colombian white-faced capuchin
Colombian white-faced capuchin range
Kaapori capuchin
Kaapori capuchin range
Wedge-capped capuchin range
Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin
Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin range
Black capuchin
Black capuchin range
Azaras's capuchin
Azaras's capuchin range
Black-striped capuchin
Black-striped capuchin range
Blond capuchin
Blond capuchin range
Crested capuchin
Crested capuchin range
Golden-bellied capuchin range
Tufted capuchin
Tufted capuchin range
Bare-eared squirrel monkey
Bare-eared squirrel monkey range
Black squirrel monkey
Black squirrel monkey range
Black-capped squirrel monkey
Black-capped squirrel monkey range
Central American squirrel monkey
Central American squirrel monkey range
Collins' squirrel monkey
Collins' squirrel monkey range
Guianan squirrel monkey
Humboldt's squirrel monkey
Humboldt's squirrel monkey range
Aracá uakari range
Bald uakari range
Golden-backed uakari
Golden-backed uakari range
Neblina uakari range
Black bearded saki
Black bearded saki range

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List of platyrrhines Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.