Spix's red-handed howler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spix's red-handed howler |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alouatta
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| Species: |
discolor
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| Spix's red-handed howler range | |
The Spix's red-handed howler (Alouatta discolor) is a type of Howler monkey. These monkeys live in the southeastern part of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Sadly, their homes are being destroyed by deforestation, and they are also hunted, which puts them in danger.
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About the Spix's Red-Handed Howler
What Does It Look Like?
The Spix's red-handed howler looks a lot like the regular red-handed howler. However, it has a special yellowish-brown to reddish-brown color on its back. Male howlers are usually heavier, weighing about 7.2 kilograms (about 16 pounds). Females are a bit lighter, weighing around 5.5 kilograms (about 12 pounds).
Where Do They Live?
These monkeys are found only in central Brazil. They live along the southeastern part of the Amazon River in a state called Pará. Their main home is between four big rivers: the Tapajós, Juruena, Xingú, and Irirí.
Their territory stretches from the right bank of the Tapajós and Juruena rivers in the west, all the way east to the banks of the Xingú and Irirí rivers. This area goes north to a place called Forte Curupá (Gurupá), which is the northernmost spot where these howlers live.
Spix's red-handed howlers prefer to live in lowland forests. These forests are sometimes separated by dry areas. They also live in forests that get flooded during certain seasons.
What Do They Eat?
The main food for Spix's red-handed howlers is fruit, both ripe and unripe. They eat more fruit than any other howler monkey species. Different kinds of trees provide fruit for them all year long.
To get enough protein, they also eat leaves. When fruits are hard to find, these howlers will eat older leaves, flowers, and even parts of woody plants. Sometimes, they might even eat fungi. This could help them digest all the plant material they eat.
How Do They Live in Groups?
Spix's red-handed howlers usually live in groups. These groups can have anywhere from 4 to 11 monkeys. They tend to stay within a fairly small area, usually between 5 and 45 hectares (about 12 to 111 acres) for their home range.
Why Are They in Danger?
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Spix's red-handed howler as a Vulnerable species. This means their population has dropped by more than 30% over the last three generations. The main reasons for this decline are losing their homes and being hunted.
Threats to Their Habitat
The biggest danger to these monkeys is the destruction of their habitat. This happens because of logging (cutting down trees) and turning forest land into places for cattle ranching or growing soy.
Their habitat is also being broken up into smaller pieces. This is due to two major highways: the Cuiabá-Santarém highway, which runs north-south, and the Trans-Amazonian Highway, which runs east-west. These roads also make it dangerous for the monkeys, as they can be hit by vehicles. People also hunt these monkeys a lot, both for selling and for food.
