Spider monkey Facts
Spider monkey Facts
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| Interesting Spider monkey Facts: |
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| Size of spider monkey depends on the species. On average, spider monkeys reach 13.25 pounds in weight, 2 feet in length and 3-5 feet in height. |
| One of the most prominent features on the spider monkey's body is long, prehensile tail. Tail is used as fifth limb that facilitates movement through the dense vegetation. |
| Spider monkeys are named that way because they hang from the trees by holding different branches with their limbs and long tails, "shaped" like spiders. |
| Spider monkeys do not have a thumb. Their four fingers are curved and look like a hook, which is special adaptation to the life in the forest. |
| Spider monkeys are arboreal animals (they spend their life in the treetops) and they can be rarely seen on the ground. |
| Spider monkeys eat mainly plant-based food. 90% of their diet consists of fruit, seed, nuts and flowers. Other than that, spider monkeys eat bird's eggs and insects. |
| Spider monkeys are very social animals. They live in the groups called troops. Since they are diurnal (active during the day), spider monkeys will split into smaller groups that will separately search for food. |
| When different troops of spider monkeys meet, they hug each other to express greetings and avoid confrontation and potential aggression. |
| During the night, spider monkeys gather in large groups and sleep in the trees, where they are safe from the predators. |
| Main predators of spider monkeys are jaguars, pumas, ocelots and large snakes. |
| Spider monkeys use different sounds for communication. They can produce screams and sobbing sounds, or even to bark when they are threatened. |
| Spider monkeys do not have specifically determined mating season - they are able to breed throughout the whole year. |
| Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 4, males at the age of 5, but they reproduce slowly. Female produces offspring every 3 to 4 years. |
| Pregnancy lasts 7 months and ends with one baby. Mother takes care of the baby on her own. Baby will spend first 4 to 5 months of her life attached to the mother's belly. After that period, youngster will move to the mother's back for the next 6 months. Young spider monkeys drink mother's milk 2 years. |
| Spider monkey can survive 22 to 25 years in the wild and up to 35 years in captivity. |
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