Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Pitheciidae
- Genus
- Cacajao
Habitat
Aracá uakaris inhabit the flooded forests and upland terra firma in the Amazon basin of Brazil, particularly in areas near rivers and lakes. They prefer dense rainforest canopies for protection and food sources. Their range is restricted to specific regions in the states of Amazonas and Pará.
Diet
Aracá uakaris primarily feed on fruits, seeds, and flowers, using their strong jaws to crack hard-shelled items. They also eat insects and leaves, especially during fruit-scarce periods. Feeding activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon in the treetops.
Behavior
Aracá uakaris live in groups of 20-30 individuals with a fission-fusion social structure, where subgroups form and reform. They are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time leaping through the canopy and communicating with vocalizations. They exhibit territorial behaviors, defending fruit-rich areas from other groups.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Aracá uakari as Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting pressure. Major threats include logging, agriculture expansion, and fragmentation of their rainforest habitat.