WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix lagothricha poeppigii)

  • Height: 46 – 65 cm
  • Weight: 5 kg – 10 kg
  • Best season: June – October
  • Sightings: 50%

The woolly monkey is a large, arboreal primate found in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin, primarily in  Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is named for its thick, woolly fur, which helps it stay warm in the cool, shaded canopy. Woolly monkeys have a prehensile tail, which they use to grasp tree branches, making them excellent climbers.

They are frugivores, primarily eating fruits, but also consume leaves and flowers. They live in large social groups, where strong family bonds are formed. Due to habitat loss and hunting, they are classified as Endangered.

Woolly monkeys play a significant role in their ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal and maintaining the balance of plant species in the Amazon rainforest

This specie of Woolly Monkey is not seen very often but in the rainforest, everything is unpredictable that the chances to spot them in our jungle hikes are always there

Environmental changes or forest degradation.

Ecological Role of the Woolly Monkey

Seed Dispersal

As frugivores, woolly monkeys aid in seed dispersal, helping maintain the diversity of plants in the Amazon by spreading seeds through their droppings.

Insect and Plant Regulation

By feeding on fruits, leaves, and flowers, they help regulate the populations of both plant species and herbivorous insects, contributing to forest balance.

Pollination

While feeding on nectar, woolly monkeys can assist in the pollination of some plants, further supporting the biodiversity of their ecosystem.

Prey for Predators

Woolly monkeys are an important food source for large predators, including big cats and birds of prey, contributing to the food chain.

Habitat Health Indicators

Being highly dependent on intact forest ecosystems, woolly monkeys act as indicators of the health of their habitat, signaling the health of their habitat, signaling.