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Woolly monkey Facts

Woolly monkey Facts
Woolly monkey is an unusual species of South American monkey. There are 4 species of woolly monkey that can be found in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela. Woolly monkey lives in dense tropical rainforests and seasonally flooded forests on the high altitudes. This animal is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. People kill woolly monkey because of its fur and meat. It is also often sold as a pet. All these factors placed woolly monkey on the list of vulnerable species (they may become endangered in the near future).
Interesting Woolly monkey Facts:
Woolly monkey is a medium sized animal. It can reach 20 to 24 inches in length and 11 to 18 pounds in weight. Males are larger than females.
Woolly monkey is covered with dense fur that can be grey, brown or black, depending on the species. Their palms are pink in color.
Woolly monkey has round head. It has long arms, strong shoulders and prehensile tail, which all together facilitate movement in the trees.
Woolly monkey spends almost entire life in the trees (arboreal animal).
In the rare occasions when woolly monkey leaves the trees and comes to the ground, it moves using only its legs (bipedal animal). Arms and tail are used for balancing.
Woolly monkey is very fast and agile animal. It can move at the speed of 35 miles per hour.
Woolly monkey is diurnal animal (active during the day).
Woolly monkey rests during the night, hidden in dense treetops.
Main predators of woolly monkeys are wild cats (such as jaguars and ocelots), birds of prey and large reptiles.
Woolly monkey is an omnivore (animal that consumes plants and other animals). It usually eats fruit, seeds, nuts, nectar, insects, reptiles, small birds and rodents. Since tail can support the whole weight of a woolly monkey, it often hangs upside down while eating.
Woolly monkey lives in large groups called troops. Group is composed of 10 to 45 members of both genders. Hierarchy in the group is established during the playing time. Dominance is accomplished via aggressive behavior.
Woolly monkeys use different sounds and olfactory, visual and tactile cues for communication. Sharing of food is very important part of the social life which enhances bonds between the members of the group.
Woolly monkeys are promiscuous animals. That means that they have more than one mating partner. Woolly monkeys reach sexual maturity at the age of 5 to 8 years.
Pregnancy in females lasts 7 to 7.5 months and ends with a single baby. Young woolly monkey spends its first week attached to the mother's belly. It will move to her back when it becomes stronger. Baby depends on the mother's milk 9 to 12 months.
Woolly monkey can survive up to 24 years in the wild.


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