By Travis Huff
Geographic Range
Chiropotes albinasus, the White-nosed Saki, is a primate found in Brazil, south of the Amazon river and between the Xingu and Madeira rivers. (Flannery, 2000; Grzimek, 1977)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
White-nosed Sakis are often found in high forests, flooded forests and far from rivers mainly at the "crown' level of trees. Often sakis are found in dense and moist rainforests. Sakis never use the same sleeping tree for two consecutive nights. (Grizmek 1988; Flannery 2000; Grizmek 1977)
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest .
Physical Description
(4.4 to 6.6 lbs)
White-nosed Saki males weigh, on average, 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs), and females weigh 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs). Males are about 42 cm (17 in.) in total length, and females are 38 cm (15 in.) in total length. They have a dark, black coat and a red nose and upper lip which are both covered in white fur. White-nosed Sakis have a long, bushy tail, which they use for balance. (Flannery, 2000; Grzimek, 1977; Nowak, 1991)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: male larger.
Reproduction
White-nosed sakis breed once per year.
White-nosed Sakis achieve sexual maturity at about the age of four. When in estrus a females' labia changes to bright red, and they walk with their tail raised so that males recognize their condition. White-nosed Sakis give birth to only one young per year. The majority of births occur between February and March and between August and September. Gestation period is about five months. At the age of three months young sakis begin to become more independent from their mothers. (Grzimek 1988; Nowak 1991; Flannery 2000)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .
Behavior
White-nosed Sakis are often found in large social groups of 18 to 30 individuals. Their main reason for travelling is to search for food. Grooming occurs among members of the social groups. White-nosed Sakis use tail wagging and pilo-erection, which is where an individual's hair stands straight up, to communicate. White-nosed Sakis also communicate vocally using chirping and high-pitched whistles. (Nowak 1991; Grizmek 1988; Flannery 2000)
Food Habits
The daily diet of White-nosed Sakis is composed primarily of fruit, nuts, and insects. Daily diets vary from area to area and from season to season depending on the availability of different foods. White-nosed Sakis have well-developed teeth to crack nuts for food. They eat rapidly and, as they eat, they are on the lookout for more food. (Grzimek 1977; Nowak 1991; Flannery 2000)
Primary Diet:
omnivore .
Animal Foods:
insects.
Plant Foods:
seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no negative effects of White-nosed Sakis.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
White-nosed Sakis may be hunted for food in some areas.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
Endangered.
CITES: [link]:
Appendix I.
White-nosed Sakis are an endangered species due to the destruction of their habitat.
(Grizmek 1988)
For More Information
Find Chiropotes albinasus information at
Contributors
Travis Huff (author), Fresno City College.
Carl Johansson (editor), Fresno City College.
