Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary

Spider Monkeys

Spider monkeys are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. The genus contains seven species including the endangered Black-handed Spider Monkey and Brown Spider Monkey.

The disproportionately long limbs and long prehensile tail makes them one of the largest New World monkeys and gives rise to their common name. Spider monkeys live in the upper layers of the rainforest and forage in the high canopy, from 25 to 30 m (82 to 98 ft). They primarily eat fruits, but will also occasionally consume leaves, flowers, and insects. Due to their large size, spider monkeys require large tracts of moist evergreen forests and prefer undisturbed primary rainforest. They are social animals and live in bands of up to 35 individuals but will split up to forage during the day.

Black-Handed Spider Monkeys

    Scientific Name: Ateles geoffroyi

Spider monkeys are native to tropical forests from southern Mexico to Brazil. They require large tracts of undisturbed forest and feed on ripe fruits. >>

 

Peruvian Spider Monkeys

    Scientific Name: Ateles chamek

Spider monkeys travel in groups between two and nine but form loose groups of 15 to 25 individuals. >>