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White-faced saki monkey
At Newquay Zoo, you can meet 16-year-old male Splodge.
Splodge arrived from Dartmoor Zoo in 2026 and can be found sharing his habitat with the pygmy marmosets on Tapir Island.
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Primates
Family:
Pitheciidae
About the white-faced saki monkey
The white-faced saki monkey is an agile tree-dwelling primate found in the tropical rainforests of northern South America. Living high in the forest canopy, these monkeys spend much of their day climbing and leaping between branches in search of fruit, seeds, nuts, insects, and other small invertebrates. Their powerful jaws allow them to crack open hard fruits and seeds that many other primates cannot eat.
White-faced saki monkeys typically live in small family groups and are active during the day. Males are instantly recognisable by their striking white faces, contrasting with their dark shaggy coats, while females have softer brown-grey colouring. Their long, bushy tails help them balance as they move confidently through the trees.
Conservation
Although white-faced saki monkeys remain widespread across parts of the Amazon rainforest, they are threatened by habitat loss caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion in countries such as Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname. Protecting tropical rainforest habitats is essential to ensure healthy populations continue to thrive in the wild.