(Ateles geoffroyi)
Black-handed Spider Monkey
Physical Description
Black-Handed Spider Monkeys can weigh up to 20 pounds and have bodies that are about 15 to 20 inches long, with especially long arms, legs, and tails. Their tails can grow up to 3 feet long and act almost like a fifth limb, helping them grip branches and even hold food. The underside of the tail is hairless and packed with sensory nerve endings, making it especially useful for climbing. Their fur can range from light buff to reddish-brown or black, but their hands and feet are always black. They also have small heads, prominent muzzles, and light-colored rings around the eyes. Unlike many primates, Black-Handed Spider Monkeys do not have thumbs. Instead, they use four hooked fingers to help them move efficiently through the trees.
Where They Live
Black-Handed Spider Monkeys live in rainforests and other tropical forests. They are found from southern Mexico through Central America, including parts of Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. These monkeys are arboreal, meaning they spend almost their entire lives in the treetops and rarely come to the ground.
What They Eat
Most of the Black-Handed Spider Monkey’s diet is made up of fruit and other plant material. If food is limited, they may also eat eggs.
Life & Family
Black-Handed Spider Monkeys are highly social and usually live in troops of 20 to 40 individuals. Females usually give birth to one infant every 2 to 4 years. Young infants cling to their mother’s chest at first, then later ride on her back as they grow. At around 3 months old, they begin trying solid food, but they continue to rely on their mothers for many months as they learn to move safely through the canopy. They live about 27 years on average in the wild and can live up to 40 years in human care.
Life in the Trees
Black-Handed Spider Monkeys are built almost entirely for life in the canopy. Their long limbs, flexible joints, and powerful tails help them move quickly and confidently through the treetops. Their signature form of movement, called brachiation, allows them to swing arm over arm through the forest with impressive speed and control.
Status
Endangered
