Positional behavior of the white uakari (Cacajao calvus calvus)

The positional behavior and habitat use of a group of white uakaries (Cacajao calvus calvus) was observed for 6 weeks in the dry season at Lake Teiú, Brazil. Data are presented for feeding, traveling, and resting activities. The most common feeding posture is sit, followed by stand. Cacajao frequently exhibits locomotor behaviors while in feeding trees, using pronograde clamber and quadrupedal walk. The most frequently used locomotor behaviors in travel are quadrupedal walk, leap, and pronograde clamber. Quadrupedal run and drop also figure importantly in the behavioral repertoire. The most frequent resting posture was sit, followed by ventral lie. Compared to representative members of the other pitheciin genera, Pithecia and Chiropotes, Cacajao engages in more locomotion while feeding, and uses more pedal suspension. While traveling, pronograde clamber and drop are more frequently used by Cacajao. Multiple, deformable supports are used more by Cacajao than by the other pitheciins throughout all activities. Overall, the positional behavior of Cacajao is more similar to that of Chiropotes than of Pithecia. Cacajao's behavioral solutions to the problems of balance imposed by its greatly reduced tail are discussed.