Spider monkeys : How much you know about them? Everything You need to know about them

Monkeys are one of the most common animals that we can see in the jungle. Their are more than 260 species of monkeys distributed around the world each specie having it's different appearance, style, habitat and characteristics. Today we are going to learn about one of the most interesting species of monkeys that many people think that they heard of but don't know about them. These are known as the "Spider monkeys". Not only they show their typical monkeys behavior, they also show and use various styles and gestures like that of a spider. So let's learn and find out why these monkeys are known as spider monkeys and why they are one of the most interesting and unique species among the monkeys. let's go.

  Ateles (Spider Monkeys)

General Info 

Spider monkeys are included in one of the 5 families of the New world monkeys. They are generally found in the tropical forests of Central and South American countries like south Mexico and Brazil. 

There are 7 main (true) species of spider monkeys from which 2 of them have 2 and 5 sub-species respectively. These are :

1) Black-headed spider monkeys

• Brown-headed spider monkeys

• Colombian spider monkeys

2) Geoffroy's spider monkeys

• Mexican spider monkeys

• Ornate spider monkeys

• Hooded spider monkeys 

• Yucatan spider monkeys

• Nicaraguan spider monkeys

3) Brown spider monkeys

4) Red-faced spider monkeys

5) White-fronted spider monkeys 

6) White-cheeked spider monkeys 

7) Peruvian spider monkeys 

The total population of spider monkeys are not accurately known, but most of the species are at the stage of being "Endangered" or "Critically Endangered" according to the IUCN red list. The average lifespans of spider monkeys are between 20 to 27 years in the wild, but they can also live more than 40+ years or up to 47 years (in captivity).

Physical Characteristics

Spider monkeys are medium/large sized omnivorous primates and can be identified by their long body and a strong long tail which they use to hang upside down on the branches of tall trees like a spider. They also have long arms which help to navigate easily on the tress.

Brown spider monkey (top left), Red-faced spider monkey (2nd from the left), Geoffroy's spider monkey (3rd from the left), Peruvian spider monkey (top right), Black-headed spider monkey (Bottom left), White-bellied spider monkey (middle in the bottom) and the White-cheeked spider monkey (Bottom right).

Depending upon the specie and gender (as males slightly weigh more than the females), they weigh from 2.86 to 24.25 pounds (1.3 to 11 Kg) and can have a length from 2.59 to 4.26 feet (0.79 to 1.3 meters). Also, they have a long tail and strong tail which can be 2.91 feet (0.89) in length.

They have long hook like hands with no thumbs and mostly rely on their tail to hang or move around on the trees. As per their appearance, they can be of cream, black or grey in color.

Behavior and lifestyle 

Spider monkeys are fairly aggressive towards each other sometimes but they are not aggressive against humans unless they are disturbed or spooked. They mostly live in groups of 10 to 25 individuals each (or sometimes even in a group of 30 to 40 individuals) and are also found to be present in small subgroups in order to cover more ground and search for food or territory. 

They mostly eat during the time of dawn and tend to take rest during the day time. Their is a main or lead female in the group which helps to locate the food resources for the group. If the females is unable to find the food, the whole group gets divided into small sub groups of 2 to 8 individuals (sometimes up to 15 to 17) each to find food.

As for their diet, spider monkeys mostly eat fruits, leaves and nuts, which are considered to be around 75 to 80% of their diet. If the food sources are low, they can also eat barks, birds eggs, honey and insects. 

Reproduction 

At the age of 4 to 5 years, both males and females reach the stage of sexual maturity. The mating season of spider monkeys are not specific as they are found to be mating in any time of the year. The females choose their mating partner from their own groups. The males and females sniff the genital areas of each other to know if the other one is ready for mating or not. 

After the gestation period of 213 to 243 (7 to 8 months) days the female gives birth to only one baby in each year or two. After the birth, the babies are completely dependent on their mother for the next 6 months (182 days) as the father plays no role in raising their babies. For the next 2 years, the babies remain on the back of their mother. After that, they are independent to move freely, however they still remain close to their mother for another 2 years. After the age of 4 years, the young spider monkeys are free to move and most probably become capable enough to have their own babies.

Facts and summary

• Spider monkeys are small/medium sized omnivorous primates.

• They are generally found in the tropical forests of Central and South American countries like Mexico and Brazil.

• There are 7 main (true) species of spider monkeys from which 2 of them have 2 and 5 sub-species respectively.

• They are known for their agile movement and for having a long and strong tail which they use for navigation and movement on the tress for the majority of time.

• Their long tails and limbs provide them the ability to hang up side down on the branches like a spider. They can cover around 12.13 meters (40 feet) of distance with a single arm swing.

• They have no thumbs.

• The average lifespans of spider monkeys are between 20 to 27 years in the wild, but they can also live more than 40+ years or up to 47 years (in captivity).

• They are threatened species.

• They spend most of their life on trees and are rarely seen on the ground.

• Spider monkeys can bark, almost like a dog.

• They live in groups and tend to be very socialized.

• They hug, express greetings and groom each other.

• Females are excellent parent as they take care of their child very delicately.

• They play an important role and spreading seeds, which ultimately leads to good vegetation.

• 70%- 85% (or somtimes 90% if the food is readily available) of their consists of fruits and nuts.

• Their common predators are Owls, hawks, cougars, jaguars and large snakes.

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