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The spider monkey is one of the smaller new world monkeys. Like most of the monkeys here, they lack opposable thumbs. Their tail is extremely prehensile, and is sometimes longer than the monkeys� body. This is an almost totally arboreal species, rarely coming down to the forest floor. They are also the acrobats of this group of monkeys, moving swiftly and surely through the forest canopy. The spider monkey is the most flexible new world monkey when it comes to its habitat, it can live wherever there is no competition. They live in groups of around 30 members, with a female leading the group rather than a male. This is because of the female�s ability to plan a feeding route that differs from day to day, and is economical. The males lack this ability. This monkey is diurnal, sleeping in the tallest tree it can find, to avoid predators. This monkey prefers fruits and seeds to other foodstuffs, and will consume the entire fruit, seeds and all. In the wild they live up to 27 years of age. The spider monkey itself is not endangered, but several subspecies of it are on the threatened list. |
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