White-faced Saki Monkey
Pithecia pithecia
Here at Banham Zoo
Meet our friendly troop of four white-faced saki monkeys! The largest is Father Orinoco, with his striking white face and golden markings. Mother Florence has brown markings and is slightly larger than her daughter Antonia, while the newest addition, six-month-old Romando, is easy to spot as he has yet to develop the bright white face of his father.
These monkeys are mainly arboreal (tree-dwelling) and rarely come down to the ground. Full of character, they love swinging through the trees, foraging for food, and rarely staying still!
Did you know? Only male saki monkeys develop white faces as they age, signalling strength and hierarchy.
Where Do I Live?
South America
The white-faced saki monkey is found in both lowland and mountain forests in regions of South America, north of the Amazon River.
What Do I Eat?
They eat mostly fruit and also a large amount of seeds, making them important seed distributors in the forests. They also eat honey, flowers and insects and have even been known to catch bats!
How Do I Breed?
White-faced sakis live in small family groups. A single infant is born after a pregnancy of over six months, which is independent at six months old.
Together, we protect wildlife
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
Lowest risk of endangerment.
White-faced monkeys are not classed as endangered at present as much of their natural habitat is found within protected areas.
Some Helpful Links
Where is the
White-faced Saki Monkey
located?
Our
White-faced Saki Monkey
is located in our
Explorer Zone
, map reference
14
.
What’s the best time to see the animals?
The best time to see our animals is often during feeding times or in the cooler parts of the day when they are most active. Check our daily timetable for keeper talks and feeding sessions for an up-close look! Our habitat signage also includes helpful hints and tips to make the most of your visit.
How do you ensure the animals' welfare?
Animal welfare is our top priority. We provide species-specific habitats, enrichment activities, and expert veterinary care to ensure all our animals thrive.
