Red-faced Spider Monkey
Encyclopedia
The red-faced spider monkey, Guiana spider monkey, or red-faced black spider monkey, Ateles paniscus, is a species of spider monkey
found in the rain forests in northern South America
.
The monkey belongs to the general family of spider monkeys, of which there are many other variations. Throughout the years, this monkey has faced issues with hunting
and habitat loss, but has been able to survive despite the setbacks. The red-faced spider monkey has many unique traits in their characteristics, habitat, and protection.
.
The head-body length of the red-faced spider monkey is 40-50 cm (female) and 45 cm (male). The tail length is 80-88 cm (female) and 82 cm (male). Weight is approx. 7.0 kg. The black spider monkey is characterized by a glossy black coat, a black face, and sometimes a pink muzzle.
Spider monkeys, in general, have prehensile (capable of grasping) tails. Their fingers and limbs are long, agile and strong. There is no other monkey that can rival the strength of the spider monkey's tail or the length of their limbs.
Typically, these monkeys will live in big territorial groups that can cover 370-570 acres of land. Sub-groupings will branch out and forage for food. At dusk they will re-congregate using a greeting call as a means of communication. At night they will often sleep in large groups called bands. Bands typically consist of several females, with their respective young, along with a few males for protection.
It lives in groups of about 20 individuals, splitting into small units of 2 to 5 when foraging
. Many times, the Red-Faced Spider Monkey will even live alone
The life cycle of the spider monkey consists of gestation (7-8 months), 6-11 years before having sex, and an overall life span of up to 30 years.
The red-faced spider monkey is found from Brazil
to Guyana
and French Guiana
. The red-faced spider monkey is protected only in the Amazon
under the Amazon Animal Protection Act of 1973, and is listed by the IUCN Red List
as Vulnerable
.
Spider monkey
Spider monkeys of the genus Ateles are New World monkeys in the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil...
found in the rain forests in northern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
The monkey belongs to the general family of spider monkeys, of which there are many other variations. Throughout the years, this monkey has faced issues with hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and habitat loss, but has been able to survive despite the setbacks. The red-faced spider monkey has many unique traits in their characteristics, habitat, and protection.
Description
Several unique characteristics distinguish the red-faced spider monkey. The Red-faced Spider Monkey has long black hair and a pink face with short white hairs ("Primate Factsheets: Black spider monkey Taxonomy, Morphology and Ecology"). Infants are born with dark faces, which lighten as they age. They live in small groups of 1 to four individuals and do not really connect with others of their own species ("Ateles paniscus (Guiana Spider Monkey, Black Spider Monkey, Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey)"). One of the only bonds for the monkeys is the mother to her child. The characteristics of the red-faced spider monkey make it a unique creature in the rainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
.
The head-body length of the red-faced spider monkey is 40-50 cm (female) and 45 cm (male). The tail length is 80-88 cm (female) and 82 cm (male). Weight is approx. 7.0 kg. The black spider monkey is characterized by a glossy black coat, a black face, and sometimes a pink muzzle.
Spider monkeys, in general, have prehensile (capable of grasping) tails. Their fingers and limbs are long, agile and strong. There is no other monkey that can rival the strength of the spider monkey's tail or the length of their limbs.
Behaviour
The red-faced spider monkey feeds on a variety of foods and would be considered an omnivore. It will eat termites and grubs but also feeds on supple leaves, flowers, berries, and fruit. In zoos worldwide, they specifically like oak leaves, cabbage, and lettuce leaves.Typically, these monkeys will live in big territorial groups that can cover 370-570 acres of land. Sub-groupings will branch out and forage for food. At dusk they will re-congregate using a greeting call as a means of communication. At night they will often sleep in large groups called bands. Bands typically consist of several females, with their respective young, along with a few males for protection.
It lives in groups of about 20 individuals, splitting into small units of 2 to 5 when foraging
Foraging
- Definitions and significance of foraging behavior :Foraging is the act of searching for and exploiting food resources. It affects an animal's fitness because it plays an important role in an animal's ability to survive and reproduce...
. Many times, the Red-Faced Spider Monkey will even live alone
The life cycle of the spider monkey consists of gestation (7-8 months), 6-11 years before having sex, and an overall life span of up to 30 years.
Distribution
The habitat of the red-faced spider monkey is unique to its species. They can be found in multiple habitats, but primarily they prefer rain forests where they can stay in isolation. The spider monkey lives in Northern Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, but mainly in French Guinea ("Ateles paniscus (Guiana Spider Monkey, Black Spider Monkey, Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey)"). Because of their ability to climb and jump, red-faced spider monkeys tend to live in the tops of rain forest trees.The red-faced spider monkey is found from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
and French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
. The red-faced spider monkey is protected only in the Amazon
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
under the Amazon Animal Protection Act of 1973, and is listed by the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
as Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
.