#spider monkeys

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

Have you seen the black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onNov 7, 2025

[redrcs]

Animal Portraits. Dubbo Zoo.

Mother and child spider monkeys.

On my travels

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Opposable thumbs have been a handy evolutionary tool for primates, but some monkeys can get by just fine without them! Spider monkeys only have four fingers, which makes it easier for them to swing from branch to branch.

(Image: A group of female Geoffrey's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) by Terry Whittaker)

If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a kofi!

[thes-hitoverlord]

In case you ever feel bad about being a human - don't, the animals are so much worse

[fancymurdermansion]

spider monkeys

[animal-of-the-day]

have you done spider monkeys?

Animal of the day: Spider monkeys !

Spider monkeys are New World monkeys in the genus Ateles, and they are notably larger than most other monkeys in the region. They use their long thin arms, legs and prehensile tails to swing from tree to tree with a spider-like appearance, which is how they got their name !

These monkeys are native to central and south America, and they live in tropical rainforests. They mostly eat fruit, nuts and seeds, and thereby act as important seed dispersers for many plants. They also eat insects and arachnids, which means they have an omnivorous diet. Due to habitat loss and human activities such as hunting, all seven species of spider monkey are declining, and the brown spider monkey in particular is critically endangered :(

Spider monkeys, like humans, are social creatures that live in communities of around 20-40 individuals. They are known to engage in polygamous sexual behaviours and have sexual segregation with differential roles in foraging for food and parental care. They are very intelligent animals with the ability to communicate using a wide range of vocal sounds, such as barking and screaming !

Interestingly, female spider monkeys have well-developed genitals that are difficult to distinguish from those of males due to the shape, size, and urinary function. This is really cool and it shows how even among primates sexual dimorphism is not as black and white as humans often think it is !

[bignosebaby]

why are spider monkeys called that? I once heard it's because they use their mouths and tails like two more limbs-- is that true?

They are called spider monkeys because they have long limbs and hang from their tails with their arms and legs dangling down, much like a spider dangling from a thread. Like this:

Photo source + more spider monkey info here 🐒

[monkeymetamorphosis]

HAPPY THERIANTHROPY DAY 🐒