Species profile
Name: spider monkeys are a group of seven closely related species that belong to the Ateles genus and Atelinae subfamily.
Appearance: they are known for their long, spindly limbs. Their fur can be golden, brown, black, or even white. They have small heads and hairless faces with their nostrils set far apart.
Size: they are large monkeys, weighing up to 11 kg and measuring 1.1 – 1.4 metres long. Most of this length is made up of their long prehensile tails.
Diet: they primarily eat fruits, but will also occasionally eat leaves, flowers, and insects.
Did you know: female spider monkeys have unusual genitalia which can make identifying their sex confusing. Known to researchers as a ‘pseudo-penis’, the females’ clitoris is enlarged to the extent that it is almost identical to the males’ genitalia. They even distribute urine as the females move around!
Location: spider monkeys are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil.
where to see spider monkeys
According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see spider monkeys in the following places:
| Place | Chance to see | User rating | No. reports |
| Madre de Dios Peru |
75% high |
4.8 very good |
4 reports |
| Corcovado Costa Rica |
67% high |
5.0 very good |
3 reports |
Photo credit: LunarSeaArt under a Creative Commons license from Pixabay