Bald Uakari

Taxobox
name = Bald UakariMSW3 Groves|pages=146-148]


image_width = 200px
status = VU
trend = unknown
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Rylands "et al"|year=2003|id=3416|title=Cacajao calvus|downloaded=11 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
subordo = Haplorrhini
familia = Pitheciidae
genus = "Cacajao"
species = "C. calvus"
binomial = "Cacajao calvus"
binomial_authority = (I. Geoffroy, 1847)
range_

range_map_caption = Distribution of Bald Uakari.

The Bald Uakari ("Cacajao calvus"), also known as the Red Uakari or Bald-headed Uakari, is a distinctive red-faced monkey found in swampy forests in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. The species is considered "near threatened" by the 2004 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List because of hunting and the destruction of its habitat.

It has little fur on the face, with bright red facial skin a sign of good health, enabling it to choose the healthiest (most red-faced) to mate with. It has long, thick, white or red body fur with short, bushy tails. It is on average convert|55|cm|in long and weigh around three kilograms (6.5 lbs), with convert|15|cm|in tails. It usually lives around 20 years.

The Bald Uakari feeds mainly on seeds and flowers, and some small animals.

It lives in mixed groups of between five and 30 members, spending most of its time on the ground searching for seeds, and at night sleeping in trees for safety. The breeding season is between October and May. The female encourages the male to mate by releasing an attractive scent. The gestation period is unknown.

There are four recognized subspecies of the Bald Uakari, each of which is considered vulnerable to extinction:
* White Bald-headed Uakari, "Cacajao calvus calvus"
* Ucayali Bald-headed Uakari, "Cacajao calvus ucayalii"
* Red Bald-headed Uakari, "Cacajao calvus rubicundus"
* Novae's Bald-Headed Uakari, "Cacajao calvus novaesi"

References

External links

*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Cacajao_calvus/ images and movies of the bald-headed uakari "(Cacajao calvus)"]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/308.shtml Description and photographs] , BBC, retrieved April 2, 2004