At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The northern muriqui is one of the largest monkeys in the Americas and among the rarest primates, known for its unusually peaceful, egalitarian society. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It is also called the woolly spider monkey.
Range & habitat
Remnant Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss and fragmentation of Atlantic Forest
- Small, isolated populations
- Past hunting
Why it matters
A peaceful, seed-dispersing ape-like monkey found only in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, the northern muriqui is a flagship for one of the world's most threatened forests.
Sources
Sources for Northern Muriqui
- IUCN Red List — look up Northern Muriqui (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the northern muriqui famous among primates?
It is known for its remarkably peaceful, cooperative social life, with little aggression between males — unusual among monkeys and of great interest to researchers.
Why is the northern muriqui Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss and fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest, small isolated populations, and past hunting. See the IUCN Red List.
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