The Spider Monkey
Classification
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Atelidae
Genus: Ateles
Key Information
Habitat: Jungle and tropical rain forest. Found in South America and Southern Mexico to Brazil.
Species:
Central American spider monkey (Ateles Geoffroyi).
Brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles Fusciceps).
White-bellied spider monkey (Ateles Belzebuth).
Black spider monkey (Ateles Paniscus).
Brown spider monkey (Ateles Hybridus).
Diet: Omnivore. Eats fruits, nuts, and leaves.
Evolutionary relationships: Howler monkey. Woolly Monkey.
Social Interactions: They form groups of 10-30 monkeys, which split up during the day to get food. All of the monkeys search for food during the day. Female monkeys leave group to form new groups. Males, however, stay in their group until they die.
Movement: Spider monkeys mainly move by swinging on tree branches. They will walk on land if necessary.
Endangered status: Spider Monkeys are considered to be endangered or critically endangered in certain areas. To be helped people are encouraged not to hunt or keep spider monkeys as pets.
Size: 15.7 - 20 inches.
Weight: 14 - 26 pounds.
Behavior: Females breed every three to four years. Females choose a male from their group to mate with. The female with protect their children for 6-10 years. The mother will cary her baby on her stomach.
Predators: The spider monkey's main predators are humans, crocodiles, eagles, and jaguars. To avoid predators the monkeys sleep in high up in trees