Where does the Geoffroy's spider monkey live?
Geoffroy's spider monkey, or black-handed spider monkey, lives in Central America, parts of Mexico and possibly a small portion of Colombia. It lives essentially in the trees. Its habitat ranges from lowlands up to 2,700 m. There are at least five subspecies, in varied colours from yellow to blackish.
What does the Geoffroy's spider monkey eat?
Its diet consists primarily of ripe fruit, 70 to 80%, with the rest leaves, and it requires large tracts of forest to survive. It lives in communities of 20 to 40 individuals, which sometimes split into subgroups to search for food during the day. Its arms are significantly longer than its legs, and its prehensile tail can support the entire weight of the monkey and is used as an extra limb. Its hands have only a vestigial thumb, but long, strong, hook-like fingers, which allow it to swing beneath the tree branches.
Is the Geoffroy's spider monkey endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Endangered, as a result of habitat loss, hunting and capture for the pet trade. It is one of the largest New World monkeys, often weighing as much as 9 kg.
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