Woolly monkey

Appearance

Woolly monkeys have a woolly, grey or brown fur. Their face, head and belly are even a bit darker. They have a very long tail which they use as an extra hand. The tip of the tail is hairless, to provide extra grip. Woolly monkeys can hang their entire bodyweight on their tail! Even when they’re walking on their hands and feet, they use this tail to for example carry branches above their head. Male woolly monkeys have scent glands on their chest. They mark their territory with the scent this gives off. 

Habitat

Woolly monkeys live in the rain forests of South-America. To be more specific, in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Here they live high up in the trees and preferably do not touch the ground, as that’s where the most threatening predators live. They also find their food in the trees. 

Lifestyle

Woolly monkeys live in large mixed groups with both men and women. Some groups even consists of up to 50 individuals! When there isn’t as much food to be found, the group splits up into smaller ones. Within the group one of the oldest males classifies as the leader. When two animals are fighting, he is the one to bring them apart. 

Behaviour

Woolly monkeys are mostly active during the day. They rest a lot, but also often head out to forage for food. These animals have completely developed their own language: they communicate everything through shaking their heads, clapping their teeth or ruffling with tree branches. They also use some (stunning) sounds and scents to make sure others know where they are. This is useful, because through the high density of the rain forest it’s often easy to lose each other out of sight. When woolly monkeys greet each other they hold their arms in front of their mouth, making a “slurping” sound. They have scent gland on their chests; when males move rub hands over this spot it releases a scent, also often rubbing it along trees and branches to leave their mark. This is how they signal to intruders that “they’re the ones living here, don’t come further!” Predators such as the jaguar and the eagle hunt on these woolly monkeys. Luckily the many eyes of the group are able to always keep sight on their surroundings. With an alarm screech of one animal, the whole group is warned. The males will know exactly what to do to protect their group. 

Reproduction

Females are sexually mature when they’re about 6 years old. They usually pair with older males (which are sexually mature at 8 years old). The females are able to give birth once every 3 years. The young holds on tightly to their mothers thick-furred belly with their hands and feet. They also curl their tail around their mothers. Up to about 9 or 12 months the little one still breastfeeds. After half a year the young is able to venture out on their own. It gets more and more cheeky and learns the rules of the group through play. But when something is wrong, it immediately revolts back to its mother. Every young woolly monkey knows exactly who their mother is, though they do not always know the identity of their father. When females are fully developed they leave their birth group. They then move onto another group to reproduce. 

Situation in the wild

Woolly monkeys suffer from many threats in the wild. The forests they inhabit are being cut down and burned for agriculture or to lay dams and motorways. The young animals are also captured illegally and traded as pets. 

At Apenheul

Apenheul opened in 1971 under the name “Woolly monkey sanctuary the Apenheul” with five woolly monkeys. These animals therefore play a very prominent role in our history. Previously, the female woolly monkeys and their offspring roamed freely among visitors in the park. In 1999 this came to an end, as the woolly monkeys weren’t doing very well. To give them a more stable and natural base, they were given a secure spot on one of the primate islands in Apenheul. Apenheul is the only zoo in the Netherlands that has woolly monkeys. 

Fun fact

Woolly monkeys live high up in the trees, which makes it quite difficult to do research about their diet. Not much is known about the nutrients in the plants they eat that are important to them. Because of this, it is extremely difficult for zoos to keep these animals: you will not often see them there. So its extra special that you’re able to admire them in Apenheul!