A striking little primate found in the cloud forests of Ecuador and parts of northern Peru. As its name suggests, one of its most distinctive features is its long, fluffy tail tipped with white, which stands out against the rest of its reddish-brown or grayish coat. This beautiful tail isn’t just for show—it helps the monkey balance as it moves gracefully through the trees, even though it can’t grip like the tails of some other monkey species.

The White-tailed titi is relatively small, about the size of a house cat, and lives high up in the treetops, rarely coming down to the ground. Its soft, dense fur and bright tail make it easy to spot when the sunlight filters through the forest canopy, though they’re shy and not always easy to observe in the wild.

Like other titi monkeys, the White-tailed titi is best known for its incredibly close family bonds. These monkeys are monogamous and live in small, tight-knit family groups that typically consist of a mated pair and their children. Partners are very affectionate and can often be seen sitting side by side with their tails entwined, grooming each other and quietly communicating through soft chirps and squeaks.

One of their most charming behaviors is their daily duet calling. In the early morning, the pair performs a vocal duet—a series of loud, melodic calls that echo through the forest. These duets serve as a kind of love song that strengthens their bond and also lets other titi families know that the area is occupied.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Colombia

2015

Ecuador

2015

Peru

2015