Mammals
Muriqui
Brachyteles · also called woolly spider monkey
Wrapping a long, fully prehensile tail around a branch for support, a muriqui reaches out to embrace a fellow group member, an affectionate gesture typical of one of the most remarkably peaceful social structures found among any primate, let alone the largest one living in the Americas.
Overview
The muriqui, genus Brachyteles, is a Critically Endangered primate native to rainforest habitat within Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Its status as the largest primate in the Americas, unusually peaceful and egalitarian social life, and precarious survival within a severely reduced habitat make it one of the most remarkable and urgently threatened monkeys in the world.
Size paired with surprising gentleness
Despite its position as the largest primate found anywhere in the Americas, the muriqui stands out most for the opposite of what size might suggest, a genuinely peaceful, low-aggression society built around affection and cooperation rather than dominance.
Status
Critically Endangered, with a population severely reduced and fragmented, confined to small surviving patches of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
Muriqui: common questions
Is the muriqui really the largest primate in the Americas?
Yes, the muriqui ranks as the largest living primate species found anywhere in the Americas, surpassing other large New World monkeys in overall size.
Why is the muriqui known for being so peaceful?
It lives in large mixed groups with remarkably low levels of aggression and no clear dominance hierarchy, a social structure reinforced by frequent affectionate embracing between group members.
Why is the muriqui considered Critically Endangered?
Its population has been severely reduced and fragmented due to the extensive loss of Brazil's Atlantic Forest, the only habitat where it is found.
Where is the muriqui found?
It is native to rainforest habitat within Brazil's Atlantic Forest, found nowhere else in the world.