Red-faced spider monkey

Red-faced spider monkey[1]
Red-faced Spider Monkey in Rio de Janeiro Zoo, Brazil.
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Atelidae
Genus: Ateles
Species: A. paniscus
Binomial name
Ateles paniscus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Red-faced spider monkey range

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.

Contents

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 rainforest.

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. 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 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.

References

  1. ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 151. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100407. 
  2. ^ Mittermeier, R. A., Rylands, A. B. & Boubli, J.-P. (2008). Ateles paniscus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 3 January 2009.
  • Neotropical Rainforest Mammals (1997), Louise Emmons and Francois Feer
  • MacDonald, David W. (2006). Encyclopedia of Mammals, Volume 2. Facts on File. p. 333.
  • Burnie, David and Wilson, Don (2001). Animals. DK Publishing, Inc. p.123.
  • Stewart, Melissa (2008). New World Monkeys. Lerner Publications Company. p.27-29
  • Redmond, Ian (2008). The Primate Family Tree. Firefly Books Ltd. p.97

"Black Spider Monkey." Primate Factsheets: Black spider monkey Taxonomy, Morphology and Ecology. Primate Info Net, 18 Nov 2010. Web. 31 May 2011. <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/black_spider_monkey>.

"Ateles paniscus." Ateles paniscus (Guiana Spider Monkey, Black Spider Monkey, Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey). The UICN Red List of Threatened Species, n.d. Web. 31 May 2011. <http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2283/0>.

External links