# Ateles Fusciceps The Ateles Fusciceps, also known as the black-headed spider monkey, is a playful and acrobatic primate that loves to swing through the trees! With its long limbs and prehensile tail, it can easily navigate the rainforest canopy. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests of Central and South America - **Also known as:** Ateles, Black-headed spider monkey ![Ateles Fusciceps](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ateles-fusciceps_54724770b.jpg&width=800) Photo: LeaMaimone, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ateles-fusciceps_54724770b.jpg) ## Appearance The Ateles Fusciceps has a dark brown to black body with a distinctive dark cap on its head. Its long, slender limbs and incredibly long, powerful prehensile tail make it stand out visually from other monkeys. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Atelidae - **Genus:** Ateles ## Interesting facts - Their long limbs and tail make them look like a giant spider when stretched out! - These clever monkeys live in groups that split into smaller feeding parties each day. - They are important 'gardeners of the forest,' spreading seeds far and wide! - They prefer ripe fruit so much they will smell, squeeze, and even lick it to check! ## Special abilities - **Fifth Limb Grip:** Ateles Fusciceps has a powerful prehensile tail that helps them grasp branches like a crucial fifth limb for balance and support. - **Canopy Acrobat:** Ateles Fusciceps can swing swiftly through the canopy using their long, hook-like hands and strong arms, enabling agile movement. - **Leaping Navigator:** Ateles Fusciceps can leap great distances between trees thanks to their flexible joints and powerful legs, avoiding ground predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-55 cm - **Weight:** 5-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-25 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 226-232 days ## Diet & Feeding Mostly eats delicious ripe fruits, with some leaves, flowers, and tiny insects. - **Primary Foods:** Ripe fruits, Young leaves, Flowers, Termites, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — A primary predator in their jungle habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — A powerful bird of prey in the canopy. - **Eats:** Strangler Fig (*Ficus insipida*) — Feeds heavily on the fruits of this common tree. - **Eats:** Ramón Tree (*Brosimum alicastrum*) — Consumes the leaves and fruits from this tree. - **Depends on:** Kapok Tree (*Ceiba pentandra*) — Relies on large canopy trees for shelter and food. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ateles Fusciceps? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ateles Fusciceps? 40-55 cm ### How much does Ateles Fusciceps weigh? 5-9 kg ### How long does Ateles Fusciceps live? 20-25 years ### How fast can Ateles Fusciceps move? 35 km/h ### What does Ateles Fusciceps eat? Mostly eats delicious ripe fruits, with some leaves, flowers, and tiny insects. ### Where is Ateles Fusciceps usually found? Tropical rainforests of Central and South America ### How does Ateles Fusciceps hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Greenville Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenville-zoo) — South Carolina, US · Zoo - [Lincoln Children's Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lincoln-childrens-zoo) — Nebraska, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Ateles Fusciceps: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ateles-fusciceps)