Spider Monkey Essay
Geoffroy’s spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), is a species of spider monkeys. Also known as the Black-handed spider monkey, its black hands are what makes it distinguished from the other spider monkey species. The Geoffroy’s spider monkey is a New world monkey, found all over Central America, parts of Mexico, and a small portion of Colombia.
The Black-Handed spider monkey is one of the largest New World monkeys, weighing up to 20 pounds. Their arms are longer than their legs and both limbs are important for swinging from tree to tree. Its hands have only a vestigial thumb, but its fingers are long and can be used as hooks, only their feet have thumbs. Its tail has adapted to grasping enabling these spider monkeys to swing from tree to tree …show more content…
Spider monkey’s received their name due to the fact that their tails can support their weight and while hanging just by their tail it resembles a spider.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey’s diet consists of ripe fruit and seeds from the fruit. On occasion the Black-Handed spider monkey will eat insects, flowers, young leaves, and bird eggs, this usually happens if for some reason there is no fruit around. When placed in captivity, or zoos, they are usually fed dog chow, monkey chow, fruit, carrots, lettuce, and wheat bread.
Spider monkeys live in medium-sized, groups of about 30 individuals. The females have a more active leading role than males, so their social system is thought to be matriarchal. Within the group, adult males can coexist peacefully, although there is a clear hierarchy determined by age. The group is centered on the females and their young. Males are dominant over females, but it is the females that make the main decisions for the group. Males may forage in small groups. Spider monkeys are so dependent on social living to the point of them dying if left alone for too long, for example in captivity or as a
The Black-Handed spider monkey is one of the largest New World monkeys, weighing up to 20 pounds. Their arms are longer than their legs and both limbs are important for swinging from tree to tree. Its hands have only a vestigial thumb, but its fingers are long and can be used as hooks, only their feet have thumbs. Its tail has adapted to grasping enabling these spider monkeys to swing from tree to tree …show more content…
Spider monkey’s received their name due to the fact that their tails can support their weight and while hanging just by their tail it resembles a spider.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey’s diet consists of ripe fruit and seeds from the fruit. On occasion the Black-Handed spider monkey will eat insects, flowers, young leaves, and bird eggs, this usually happens if for some reason there is no fruit around. When placed in captivity, or zoos, they are usually fed dog chow, monkey chow, fruit, carrots, lettuce, and wheat bread.
Spider monkeys live in medium-sized, groups of about 30 individuals. The females have a more active leading role than males, so their social system is thought to be matriarchal. Within the group, adult males can coexist peacefully, although there is a clear hierarchy determined by age. The group is centered on the females and their young. Males are dominant over females, but it is the females that make the main decisions for the group. Males may forage in small groups. Spider monkeys are so dependent on social living to the point of them dying if left alone for too long, for example in captivity or as a