Southern muriqui

The southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is a muriqui, or woolly spider monkey, species endemic to Brazil. It is now found only in specific areas of the Atlantic rainforest in the Brazilian states of Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. Male muriquis have a head-body length of 55 to 78 cm, a tail of 74 to 80 cm and a body weight of 9.6 to 15 kg, while females are smaller. Southern muriquis are frugivores, with fruit the preferred food, and they rely on tree bark and leaves as fallback foods. The species is considered endangered because of habitat destruction, hunting pressure and historic population declines. The wild population was estimated at 1,300 in 2005, and only two captive populations exist.