Uta Hick’s Bearded Saki

• Common Name: Uta Hick’s Bearded Saki
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1985
• Monkey Size: 14.41 to 15.35 inches (36.6 to 39 cm)
• Skin Color(s): Reddish brown
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Native Countries: Brazil

Uta Hick’s bearded saki^[1] (Chiropotes utahicki) is an endangered species of bearded saki, a New World Monkey species.

• It is native to Brazil and is restricted to the Amazon between the Tocantins and Xingu rivers.
• Like other saki monkeys, they vary in body weight and length. For example, male Uta Hick’s bearded saki monkey weighs 6.8 pounds (3.1 kg) with a body length of 15.35 inches (39 cm).
• Females weigh 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) with a body length of 14.41 (36.6 cm). Uta Hick’s bearded saki monkeys have bushy beards and fox-like tails, a trait common to the genus Chiropotes.
• Uta Hicks’ bearded saki has reddish-brown fur, dark limbs, and long arms, much larger than marmosets and tamarins. Compared to these two, they are also better climbers.

• It was named after Uta Hick, a German primatologist who cared for bearded sakis at Cologne Zoo.
• The specific name utahicki is often corrected to utahickae, since -ae is the proper suffix for the genitive of an honored lady’s name (meaning “Uta Hicks“) under ICZN rules.
• Members of this genus are considered hand drinkers, which defines its generic name. Uta Hick’s bearded saki monkeys are most commonly seen scooping up water to drink.
• Fights between male species are observed, although infrequent. But, in general, Uta Hick’s bearded monkeys live in peace, play among themselves, groom themselves and even sleep with other group members.
• Uta Hicks’ bearded saki monkeys are social animals that live in a group of about 22 individuals. Of course, this may change, but the most significant determinant is food availability.