Coppery Titi Monkey
They are a small South American primate. There is no sexual dimorphism in this species, males and females weigh about the same and are similar lengths. They have coarse hair covering their entire body, except for their face. Their sideburns, underside, and legs are a burnt reddish colour, giving them a coppery appearance. The upper and outer sides of their body and head are agouti in colour; that is, their pelage is streaked with light and dark alternating bands that are reddish and brownish in colour. Their forehead has the same colouration, except for the crown, which sometimes has a blackish fringe. Titi monkey species are often distinguished by the colouration of the hair across their foreheads.
Habitat
They are from northwest South America. They inhabit the Amazon forests of Peru and Brazil, and are mainly found in terra firme forests, often occupying the middle and lower canopy strata. They are rarely seen in várzea forests, which are common throughout the Amazon. They can tolerate short-term seasonal flooding and low levels of anthropogenic (man-made) disturbances. Coppery titis are active by day and are truly arboreal, spending all their day in the trees.
Diet
Coppery titis are mainly frugivores, but also consume insects and other plant material. They spend around 75 percent of their feeding time eating over 100 different types of fruits, favouring soft fruits such as figs. The remainder of their feeding time is spent consuming leaves, flowers, and some insects. They eat more leaves during the dry season than they do during the wet season. When females are lactating, they double their intake of insects since the protein needs of females increase during this time.
Mealtime is a social affair: individuals in a coppery titi family group may feed on the same food from the same source at the same time. They do not, however, feed in the same tree at the same time with other primate species.
Breeding
Female coppery titis give birth to a single offspring once per year, between November and March. Family size can range from 2 to 5 individuals including the mated pair and up to 3 offspring. Unlike most primates, male titi monkeys are the primary carriers of their young. Just 48 hours after birth, males start to carry their young and continue to carry them on their backs for up to 6 months. They only hand them off to the mother for suckling. A study conducted in 1986 found that fathers carry their infants about 85 percent of the time. When the infant is hungry and ready to nurse, the father will sit close to the mother while the infant nurses.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC) and their population trend is unknown
Threats
Since they are located in a remote, isolated region, there are no immediate threats associated with this species. However, they are occasionally hunted for bushmeat. They are also hunted for their tails, which are used as dusters, and for the exotic pet trade. Predators of coppery titi monkeys also pose a threat to their survival. Predators such as large birds or raptors and felids are capable of attacking titi monkeys.
Conservation
Coppery titis are found in several protected areas throughout their range. In Brazil, they are found in indigenous reserves, biological reserves, and natural forests. In Peru, they are found in reserves such as Reserva Nacional Matses and Area de Conservación Regional Comunal Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo. This species is also listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.