Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Atelidae Scientific Name : Lagothrix Lagotricha Size : 50 - 60cm (20 - 24in) Weight : 5 - 8kg (11 - 18lbs) Top Speed : 56km/h (35mph) Life Span : 7 - 10 years Colour : Black, Brown, Grey Skin Type : Fur Special Features : Rounded head and strong prehensile tail
- Woolly Monkeys are primates which are found in the forests of North-West South America.
- They are medium to large sized and have soft fur covering their bodies.
- There are 4 species of Woolly Monkeys: Brown or Common, Grey, Columbian and Silvery.
- They use their long prehensile tails for grip and balance thus freeing their hands.
- Woolly Monkeys are arboreal and diurnal, living in groups called troops on trees.
- Woolly Monkeys are social animals but split up when forging for food.
- They are omnivores and eat fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, insects and small rodents.
- Their main predators are large birds of prey and large cats like jaguars.
- They are promiscuous by nature; one male mates with many females and vice versa.
- Gestation period of Woolly Monkeys is 7 – 8 months and litter size is 1.
- Babies are cared for by their mothers till they become independent around 6 months.
- Woolly Monkeys are good communicators and use sound, sight and touch to convey information.
- Woolly Monkeys can live for about 7 – 10 years on an average.
- Their numbers are declining due to human encroachments and habitat loss due to deforestation.