Spider Monkey - Five Sisters Zoo

Spider monkeys are some of the biggest New World monkeys. They have small heads and long thin tails and limbs. Their fur can range from a reddish brown to black. They have prehensile tails and hook-like hands that help them move around the dense canopy of the rainforest.

There are 7 recognized species of Spider Monkey in the world. The ones at Five Sisters Zoo are not part of a recognized species as they are hybrids, meaning they are a mix of species.

Facts

Diet: Omnivore; fruits, plants, nuts, invertebrates.

Weight: 7.4 to 9 kg

Length: 39 to 63 cm, not including the tail which can reach up to 88cm.

Habitat: South and Central America; tropical rainforest, specifically in the tree canopy.

Life span: 22 years in the wild, up to 25 years under human care

Adapted to Survive

  • Their fingers are long and hooked to grab trees and vines.
  • Their tail is prehensile, which can be used as a fifth limb to grab trees for suspensory locomotion.
  • They have opposable big toes on their feet that can grab onto branches quickly.

Threats

  • Habitat loss and fragmentation
  • Poaching
  • Illegal wildlife and pet trade

IUCN Conservation Status

Endangered

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