Spider Monkey

It is a monkey belonging to the genus Ateles, part of the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. They are called spider monkeys as they hang upside down from their tail and have their hands and legs free. 'Ateles', their genus, means 'imperfect'. The monkeys are imperfect as they don't have thumbs like other monkeys. Its tail acts as an extra limb that helps it to move around swiftly from one tree to another.

Spider monkeys are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. There are seven types: Red-faced spider monkey, Black-handed spider monkey, White-bellied spider monkey, Brown spider monkey, Black-headed spider monkey, Peruvian spider monkey, and White-cheeked spider monkey.

They are omnivorous- eat both plants and animals. Their food includes fruit, nuts, seeds, buds, flowers, insects, and eggs. This type of monkey is referred to as frugivores. 80-90 percent of its diet consists of fruits. Sometimes, it eats small reptiles as a major source of protein. Once eaten, its food can travel through the digestive tract in just four hours. 

All male spider monkeys are color blind and 60 percent of females are also color blind. Due to this, they become prey to jaguars, eagles, hawks, and snakes (both venomous and constrictor species). The life span of spider monkeys is around 30 to 40 years.

Credits: Harini