The Black Spider Monkey is a species of South American monkeys that fall under the genus Ateles of the spider monkeys. These are one of the larger New World monkeys that are rarely found these days as a result of their quick decline in population especially because of hunting and human encroachment on its range of habitation.
| Animalia | |
| Chordata | |
| Mammalia | |
| Primates | |
| Atelidae | |
| Ateles | |
| A. fusciceps | |
| Ateles fusciceps |
| Animalia | |
| Chordata | |
| Mammalia | |
| Primates | |
| Atelidae | |
| Ateles | |
| A. fusciceps | |
| Ateles fusciceps |
Size: The head and body length is typically between 39.3 and 53.8 cm (15.5 and 21.2 in), excluding tail.
Weight: The average masses of the male and the female are 8.89 kilograms (19.6 lb) and 8.8 kilograms (19 lb), respectively.
Body: They possess a slim and slender structure entirely covered with long, dense and glossy body hair, giving them an ape-like appearance.
Head: The face is rounded with a short and blunt snout area, moderately large nostrils and earlobes, and round eyes.
Tail: The tail is very long that measures between 71.0 and 85.5 cm (28.0 and 33.7 in).
Sexual Dimorphism: No visible differences between the sexes can be noted.
They have been known to live for 22 to 25 years in the wild, and up to 35 years in captivity.
The black spider monkeys are found in the dense rainforests of Central and South America.
Depending upon their features and geographic location, the black spider monkeys have been divided under two subspecies:
The black spider monkeys are a diurnal species that are primarily arboreal (live in trees). They have mastered the brachiation technique (swinging by the arms from branch to branch) and are excellent climbers as well.
Like most other primates, they sleep at night. During the day, they associate with each other in groups comprising of around 20 individuals. The group is rather loosely packed since they are rarely seen gathered in one place.
Each group forms a subgroup of different sizes, while they move through the forests using all their four arms. When they walk, they are seen in an upright position along the branches. Their highest recorded speed (leap) is approximately 9 meters (30 ft.).
Spider monkeys can emit different sounds and calls to communicate. They can give out sobbing sounds and screams, or even barking noises to alert others or draw their attention for help, if they feel threatened.
They are primarily, herbivore, or more precisely, folivore and frugivore, living on especially plant foods including leaves, seeds, grains, nuts, and fruits. However, because they also feed on some animal foods like eggs and insects, occasionally, they are biological omnivores.
As the mating season approaches, the female black spider monkeys may move on to consort with a single male partner for up to three days, or else mate with multiple partners. The act of mating takes place with the male and the female facing each other, which might last for five to ten minutes.
As the female gets pregnant, the gestation period lasts for 226 to 232 days. After the infant is born, it is taken care of by its parents until it is able to forage for its own food and can become independent.
The baby monkey would move with its mother, riding on the latter’s back. This continues for up to around 16 weeks. It takes almost 20 months for the baby to be weaned.
The male juveniles take around 56 months to attain the age of sexual maturity, while the females take around 51 months. Once matured, the females can give birth every three years.
The primary predators of these primates are pumas, jaguars, large snakes, and ocelots.
The black-headed spider monkey has been marked as ‘CR’ (Critically Endangered) by the IUCN 3.1 because of their estimated population loss of over 80% in a span of 45 years.
