Like other species of the genus Chiropotes, black cuxiús are predominantly frugivores and seed predators, but may occasionally consume flowers (Port-Carvalho & Ferrari, 2004) and arthropods (Veiga and Ferrari, 2006).  They prefer upland forests and are most often in the middle strata and higher. They form large groups, with about 40 individuals (Veiga et al. 2006) primarily in high tropical rain forest land in the Amazon eastern plains and mangroves, but they are also adept at surviving in small secondary forest fragments (Silva Jr. 1991; Lopes 1993; Ferrari et al. 1999, 2004; Santos 2002; Smith 2003; Port-Carvalho and Ferrari 2002; Veiga 2006) in forest fragments of up to 20 hectares isolated over 20 years, since there is no hunting pressure (Santos 2002, Silva 2003, Port-Carvalho and Ferrari 2002, Veiga 2006). In fragments from 100 to 1,000 ha, they are relatively abundant (provided there is no hunting pressure), so showing behavioural adaptability to habitats with anthropogenic disturbance (Port-Carvalho & Ferrari, 2004, Veiga et al. 2008j, Ferrari et al. 2013). Black cuxiús are extremely agile; their repertoire of behavioural activities is dominated by “Travel” and “Feed” (Port-Carvalho and Ferrari 2002, Silva and Ferrari 2008). They are found in association in mixed groups with other sympatric species of primate such as Sapajus apella and Saimiri sciureus.  This may assist in foraging and protection from predators (Silva & Ferrari, 2008, Schaffer et al. 2015). The home range of the species is estimated at 57 ha in Tucuruí, Pará (Santos 2002); 68.9 ha and 16.3 ha in other fragments in Tucuruí, Pará (Silva 2003); 16 ha and 18 ha in Tucuruí, Pará (Veiga 2004); 98.6 ha, 75 ha and 18 ha in the Rio Tocantins, (Veiga, 2006).  In continuous forest, as in the case of REBIO Gurupi, The home range is likely to be larger.

Chiropotes satanas is endemic to Brazil, and is present exclusively in the states of Maranhão and Pará, where it is resident and native. The distribution includes all of the Belém Center of Endemism. Some authors described the geographical distribution of the species as: “Eastern Amazon, south of the Amazon river”. The original distribution extended from the right bank of the Tocantins River to the transition zone between the forest and the Cerrado, which constituted the southern and eastern limit in Pará and Maranhão (Hershkovitz 1985, Silva Jr. 1991, Lopes 1993, Silva Junior and Figueiredo 2002). The southernmost record is at Estreito in Maranhão (Silva Jr. 1991). The eastern and southern boundaries of the original distribution area have retreated, and the occurrence of the species area is completely fragmented, coinciding with one of the most disturbed areas of the Brazilian Amazon”.

Global Forest Watch data suggest that, should forest loss continue at the same rate that has impacted the previous generation (2009-2018), 30% or more of this species’ suitable habitat is likely to be lost by the year 2048 (Global Forest Watch 2020).

This species is listed on CITES Appendix II.

The single federal restricted and protected area within this region is the Gurupi Biological Reserve (REBIO Gurupi) in Maranhão State (original area 341,650 ha). Together with contiguous Amerindian reservations, it forms a nucleus of continuous forest covering almost an estimated one million hectares. Despite its potential importance for the conservation of Chiropotes satanas (and the critically endangered Cebus kaapori), this area suffers intense pressure from local ranchers, timber companies and illegal land settlers, and almost one-third of the Gurupi Reserves forest has already been lost.

Actions to be implemented for the conservation of the taxon:

• Surveys of remnant populations and greater effectiveness in the management of protected areas. Effective protection is essential in these areas and the study on the possibilities of establishing new reserves, including in private areas (Ferrari et al. 1999).
• The Gurupi Biological Reserve urgently needs effective police against hunting and the action of loggers.  It is the only protected Federal Conservation Unit in the Chiropotes satanas geographic distribution, and is at risk from heavy logging.
• The Gurupi Biological Reserve urgently needs better physical infrastructure better structure and intensification of surveillance and research activities.
• A Chiropotes satanas species conservation action plan needs to be developed and implemented, and the Pithecinae Action Group needs to be encouraged to develop strategies of research and publication.
• Development of environmental education programs to alert local communities to the status of the species.