Primate monkeys are found in the New World, and the Spider Monkey is a member of this group. There are seven distinct species of spider monkeys, and they are dispersed across Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. Spider monkeys can also be found in some parts of Mexico. Their natural habitat, which consists of wet and dense tropical rain forests, has recently come under threat as a result of human interaction and deforestation. There are a few species of monkeys that are now considered to be in the “most endangered” category.
Fascinating Information Regarding the Spider Monkey:
- Size varies from species to species, but on average weighs 13 pounds and can grow to a height of 4 feet.
- Their long tail functions as a fifth limb and helps them move around effectively.
- They get their name from the way they hang from trees by using their limbs and long tails as a makeshift hammock.
- They do not possess a thumb, but rather have fingers that are curved like hooks, which gives them the ability to hang and climb with ease.
- These Spider Monkeys don’t venture far from the canopy very often.
- Plant foods make up the majority of their diet, including things like fruits, seeds, nuts, and flowers.
- They are extremely social and live in troops consisting of many different groups of monkeys. If you are considering adoption, keep in mind that the children will not be raised in isolation.
The average size of a group of spider monkeys is between two and three dozen individuals. At night, they disperse into smaller parties and get together in those. Both hunting and foraging are subject to the same constraints. These monkeys have a habit of communicating with each other using calls, screeches, barks, and a variety of other loud sounds. They are very noisy.
In most cases, the females give birth to a single offspring somewhere between once every two and five years. For the first ten weeks of their lives, the young baby monkeys are completely reliant on their mothers. After that, they are able to function fairly well on their own. The young spider monkeys will continue to rely on their mothers for care for the first year or so of their lives.
Spider monkeys are typically agitated when they come into contact with humans; this is because indigenous peoples frequently hunt them for food. The habitat that spider monkeys are able to call home continues to be reduced as a result of human activities such as logging and deforestation.