Locomotion

The red uakari moves through the forest in a variety of fashions including: quadrupedally, leaping, pronograde clambering, and dropping from a higher support to a lower one (Walker, 1993; cited in Kinzey, 1997). This species can suspend itself by its hindlimbs (Walker, 1993; cited in Kinzey, 1997). When this species moves more quickly, it will use a gallop or a bounding gait (Fontaine, 1981). In these types of quadrupedal locomotion the forelimbs move forward together followed by the hindlimbs moving together as one unit (Fontaine, 1981). Red uakaris use leaps to cross gaps between trees in the canopy of the forest (Fontaine, 1981). This species is not a specialized leaper, so it needs to gain momentum before leaping by rocking back and forth on a branch (Fontaine, 1981). Adult males tend to be too large and can not leap as well as adult females and subadult males (Fontaine, 1981). When moving between terminal branches and twigs this species uses bridging where the forelimbs are flung on to the new support then moving each hindlimb on to the new support (Fontaine, 1981). Brachiation does occur in this species but mostly in the context of juvenile play (Fontaine, 1981). Red uakaris can move bipedally but the surface must be relatively flat, and this behavior most often occurs on the ground (Fontaine, 1981). Bipedal locomotion most often occurs during juvenile play (Fontaine, 1981). When moving through the canopy this species most often uses single supports (Walker and Ayres, 1996).

Last Updated: October 9, 2003.
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