Pithecia

genus of primate

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July 1, 2026

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The genus Pithecia, commonly known as sakis, comprises 16 species of arboreal monkeys native to South America. These primates are characterized by their long, bushy tails and coarse hair that forms a hood on their heads and a cape over their shoulders.1

Sakis are diurnal and typically live in monogamous pairs. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, leaves, and seeds, which they process with powerful jaws. Females generally weigh less than 2 kg (4.4 pounds), while males weigh more than 2 kg. They give birth to a single offspring, which clings to the mother's belly and later rides on her back. Sakis belong to the subfamily Pitheciinae within the order Primates.12

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saki
…“true” sakis of the genus Pithecia are approximately 30–50 cm (12–20 inches) long, not including the bushy, tapering tail of 25–55 cm (about 10–22 inches). Females generally weigh less than 2 kg (4.4 pounds) and males more than 2 kg. These sakis are covered with long coarse hair that falls…
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…“true” sakis of the genus Pithecia are approximately 30–50 cm (12–20 inches) long, not including the bushy, tapering tail of 25–55 cm (about 10–22 inches). Females generally weigh less than 2 kg (4.4 pounds) and males more than 2 kg. These sakis are covered with long coarse hair that falls…
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