5 Fun Facts About Bald Uakari

(pronunciation: wakari)

 

1. The Bald Uakari are very unique to look at, with their completely hairless, red ballooned faces and extremely short tails. Their fur ranges from pure white to reddish-brown to orange.
2. Uakari have one of the most powerful jaws in primates and can cut open a hard Brazilian beetle nut with a quick bite.
3. Uakari females give birth just once every two years.
4.  Uakari live in groups called ‘troops’ which can contain up to a 100 monkeys.
5. Uakari are considered vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List, due to extensive hunting by indigenous tribes in its native habitat of South America.

 

Bonus

Uakari are very susceptible to malaria and often fall ill, which reduces the redness of their faces. Animals with paler red faces are rejected by potential mates as they indicate traces of ill health. This can be especially hard for Uakari who have never had the disease, but have pale faces due to genetics.

 

A reddish-brown uakari

 

A white uakari

 

-NISHA PRAKASH