Ateles – Spider monkeys
Home of the largest of all new-world monkeys
Members of the genus Ateles vary in color from yellowish beige to dark crimson to black; they come in various shades. Some species of howlers have different-colored males and females.
Since all the tails are prehensile and can grip tree branches, the monkeys often eat while hanging from trees. Members of this genus love ripe fruits generally, and all diets include additional flowers, seeds, and insects.
Although all spider monkeys are arboreal (tree dwellers), some sometimes come to the ground. They are nocturnal (active during the day). Some creatures engage in playtime and grooming. They do not actively guard their territory or home ranges and are rather tolerant. They often traverse the forest on all fours while brachiating (swinging the arms under branches), frequently with the aid of the tail.
Species in this genus
Brown spider monkey
One of the most threatened primates in the Neotropics and has been listed six times as one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates
Black-headed spider monkey
Agile arboreal acrobats with distinctive black fur swinging through the rainforests of Central and South America
White-bellied spider monkey
With its long limbs, thumbless hands, and graceful movements, this monkey gracefully resembles a spider in the tree canopy
Geoffroy’s spider monkey
Hooks for hands…
