# Spider Monkey (*Ateles*) Spider monkeys are playful primates with long arms and legs. They swing from tree to tree in the rainforest, using their tail as an extra hand. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Rainforest - **Also known as:** Atelidae ![Spider Monkey](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425829/objects/6425.jpg) ## Appearance The Spider Monkey has long, slender limbs and a very long, prehensile tail, often longer than its body. Its fur can be black, brown, or reddish, sometimes with lighter undersides. They are distinct for their lack of an external thumb. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Atelidae - **Genus:** Ateles ## Interesting facts - A baby spider monkey rides on its mother's back, clinging tightly to her fur. - Spider monkeys communicate with barks, screams, and chirps that can be heard far away. - Their long arms and tail make them look like a giant spider as they climb through trees! - They play a super important role by spreading seeds in the rainforest. ## Special abilities - **Tail Navigator:** Spider Monkeys can use their powerful prehensile tail as an extra limb that helps them grip branches and hang upside down. - **Canopy Swinger:** Spider Monkeys have hook-like hands (without thumbs!) that help them swing swiftly and gracefully through the treetops. - **Fruit Mapper:** Spider Monkeys can remember the locations of many fruit trees, helping them find food across vast forest areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-66 cm - **Weight:** 6-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-27 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 226-232 days ## Diet & Feeding Spider monkeys mainly eat yummy fruits, but also enjoy leaves and flowers from the forest. - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Nuts - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — A top predator of the rainforest canopy. - **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — Large bird of prey that hunts monkeys. - **Eats:** White Fig (*Ficus insipida*) — They eat the fruit and help disperse its seeds. - **Eats:** Spanish Cedar (*Cedrela odorata*) — They forage for leaves and flowers from this tree. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always observe monkeys from a safe distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spider Monkey? 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 Spider Monkey? 35-66 cm ### How much does Spider Monkey weigh? 6-9 kg ### How long does Spider Monkey live? 20-27 years ### How fast can Spider Monkey move? 35 km/h ### What does Spider Monkey eat? Spider monkeys mainly eat yummy fruits, but also enjoy leaves and flowers from the forest. ### Where is Spider Monkey usually found? Rainforest ### How does Spider Monkey hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Alexandria Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandria-zoological-park) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Brevard Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brevard-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Lupa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lupa-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Hattiesburg Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hattiesburg-zoo) — Mississippi, US · Zoo - [Brookfield Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo [View all places to see Spider Monkey](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spider-monkey) ## 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: [Spider Monkey: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spider-monkey)