Coppery titi

Appearance

Coppery titis have very long tails (around 50 cm for males and 64 cm for females), which are even longer than their bodies. Their fur ranges from gray to reddish-brown and is very thick and soft. The exception is their face, which appears quite small due to the dense hair surrounding it. Males (45 cm) are slightly larger than females (42 cm).

Habitat

The coppery titi lives in the tropical regions of Peru and Brazil. They inhabit the lower parts of trees, preferring areas with dense vegetation. Different species are separated by natural barriers such as the tributaries of the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers.

Lifestyle

Coppery titis are extremely vocal. They can produce a wide range of sounds (about 16 distinct types), which can be compared to their own language. Both males and females “sing” in turns, performing duets, usually during twilight hours. Their vocalizations are mainly used to mark their territory, similar to howler monkeys and gibbons. Titis are very territorial and can react aggressively when other groups come near their habitat. However, despite their strong reactions, actual fighting is rare. In general, they are quiet animals that spend their days alternating between eating and resting. The coppery titi spends about 60 to 80% of its day resting. 

Behaviour

These animals are monogamous and live in small family groups of about 2 to 5 individuals, consisting of a male, a female, and their offspring. The pair forms a very strong bond and stays together for life, spending more time together than most other South American primates. A common behaviour is “tail-wrapping”, where the pair wraps their tails around each other, usually while sleeping or resting. This strengthens their bond. Offspring often snuggle between their parents. Their tails also have a distinctive visible coil.

Reproduction

Only one offspring is born at a time, and it grows to the size of an adult titi in just 10 months. Just like clawed monkeys, the offspring is primarily raised by the father. After about a week, he takes full responsibility for caring for the young, including sharing their food after the nursing period. The father carries the infant between his shoulders for about the first six months. During the first 12 to 16 weeks after birth, the baby is only with the mother for nursing, as she does not share food. Around the age of three, the young leaves its natal group.

Situation in the wild

The main threats to titis are the destruction of their habitat, hunting for bushmeat, and, in some cases, being kept as pets. Although Brazil still has vast areas of tropical rainforest, only part of it is actual protected nature reserve.

At Apenheul

You can find coppery titis in the dwarf monkey area at Apenheul. Here, they live alongside the white-faced sakis and silvery marmosets.

Population management programme 

Apenheul participates in the European endangered species programme (EEP) for coppery titis. By working together with other international zoos, we help maintain a genetically healthy and demographically stable zoo population, serving as a reserve for this species.

Fun Fact

The titi belongs to the Pitheciidae family, a group of monkeys characterized by their light weight and thick, fluffy fur, making them appear much larger than they actually are. Sakis and uakaris also belong to this family. Currently, 19 titi species have been classified, with many more subspecies still unknown. One reason so many new titi species continue to be discovered is that these animals are extremely shy. They retreat into the foliage and can remain completely motionless for hours, making them difficult to spot.