Introduction to Black Spider Monkeys
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Black spider monkeys or Ateles paniscus by their scientific name are known to be rare and difficult to see however they are found in tropical rain forests in northern South America. They are one of the seven species of spider monkeys found in Latin America and are known to be the largest primate species in South America.
Their name “spider” has been inspired by their disprortionately long, spindly limbs. They are 16 to 24 inches tall and weigh about 15 to 19 pounds. They tend to have very long, tall and thin arms with gripping tails. Unlike other monkeys, spider monkeys rely mostly on their tails for support that can be up to 89 cm long. This is one of the reasons why they like to live in the upper layers of the rainforest so that when they swing by the tail, their hands are free to gather food. Swift and acrobatic, these Spider monkeys glide through the forest canopy, covering up to 40 feet.
Often spider monkeys live in a ‘fission-fusion’ society of approximately 24-36 individuals known as troops. They are very social but can be also be very noisy animals and are often heard communicating with many screeches, barks and other sounds. The females give birth every two to five years, to only one baby monkey. The young monkeys depend on their mothers and are cared for, for the first 14 months and are often seen clinging on their mother’s backs. After that they start exploring their habitat independently. The males on the other hand spend less time giving care to their babies instead they defend their mates and their territories.
These monkeys are omnivores, therefore their main source of foods include fruits, leaves, nuts, flowers and insects. They also feed on bird eggs and spiders. When food gets scarce, they tend to divide themselves up into smaller groups so that finding food is made easy.
Even though there are an abundant species of monkeys around the world, the black spider monkey do play an essential part in the tropical rain forest ecosystem. They have an important role in seed dispersal, allowing their forest environment to continue to grow and thrive.
Their name “spider” has been inspired by their disprortionately long, spindly limbs. They are 16 to 24 inches tall and weigh about 15 to 19 pounds. They tend to have very long, tall and thin arms with gripping tails. Unlike other monkeys, spider monkeys rely mostly on their tails for support that can be up to 89 cm long. This is one of the reasons why they like to live in the upper layers of the rainforest so that when they swing by the tail, their hands are free to gather food. Swift and acrobatic, these Spider monkeys glide through the forest canopy, covering up to 40 feet.
Often spider monkeys live in a ‘fission-fusion’ society of approximately 24-36 individuals known as troops. They are very social but can be also be very noisy animals and are often heard communicating with many screeches, barks and other sounds. The females give birth every two to five years, to only one baby monkey. The young monkeys depend on their mothers and are cared for, for the first 14 months and are often seen clinging on their mother’s backs. After that they start exploring their habitat independently. The males on the other hand spend less time giving care to their babies instead they defend their mates and their territories.
These monkeys are omnivores, therefore their main source of foods include fruits, leaves, nuts, flowers and insects. They also feed on bird eggs and spiders. When food gets scarce, they tend to divide themselves up into smaller groups so that finding food is made easy.
Even though there are an abundant species of monkeys around the world, the black spider monkey do play an essential part in the tropical rain forest ecosystem. They have an important role in seed dispersal, allowing their forest environment to continue to grow and thrive.