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BrownSpiderMonkey (edit2)
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?

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

Brown monkey

A. azarae
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Central and northeastern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

Peruvian night monkey

Brown monkeys

A. miconax
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Northwestern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Black monkey

A. caraya
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Central South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

Yucatán black howler

Black monkey

A. pigra
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and Central America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

A. hybridus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Northwestern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

L. flavicauda
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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 Population declining

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

Gray monkey

C. jacchus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Eastern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

L. rosalia
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Southeastern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

White and black monkey

S. oedipus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Northwestern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

Emperor tamarin

Black monkey

S. imperator
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Western South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

C. olivaceus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Northern South America
Map of range
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 Population steady

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

Brown monkey

S. xanthosternos
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Eastern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkeys

S. sciureus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Northern South America (in green)
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Brown monkey

P. cupreus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Western South America
Map of range
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 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

Brown monkey with red face

C. calvus
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Western South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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

Black monkey

P. pithecia
{{{authority-name}}}, {{{authority-year}}}
Northern South America
Map of range
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 Population declining

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