Spider Monkey - description, habitat, lifestyle

The content of the article

1 The appearance of spider monkeys
2 Lifestyle and behavior
3 Lifespan
4 What eat spider-like primates?
5 Reproduction monkeys
6 Video: Spider Monkey (Atelidae)

Spider monkeys are a species of mammal, which are primates. The family of these animals is defined as "wide-nosed monkeys". It is worth noting that this family in our time is very numerous, in the group there are about 30 different species, each of which is distributed mainly in the territory of the New World.

The appearance of spider monkeys

These animals received their unusual name mainly due to their rather interesting appearance. First, this species of monkeys has very strong legs and arms, with which they can overcome many obstacles like real spiders. Secondly, the tail section plays a significant role in this case.The fact is that with the help of a tail, monkeys can calmly hold on to branches, clutching them as if it is another, fifth limb. If you watch these animals from the side, when they climb trees, you can see how they move with the help of arms, legs and tail. From the side in this position, they really resemble spiders.

This type of monkey is currently considered one of the largest of those that are common in American territories. The body length of these primates reaches about 65 centimeters, the minimum size of monkeys in length is about 34 centimeters. The tail of these primates has an impressive length; it can even reach 90 centimeters. The average weight of arachnids monkeys ranges from 4 to 10 kilograms. Adult females - representatives of this species have large sizes and weight, than males.

On the tail of arachnids, namely in the lower part of it there is a small area without hair, on which there are special skin scallops. These scallops are functional load, provide the best tenacity of the animal. In most representatives of the species, the front limbs are relatively longer than the hind ones. However, in some individuals, the fore and hind limbs may be the same in length.Interestingly, these primates have no big fingers on their hands, but on the feet, on the contrary, they are very well developed. Spider-like monkeys have a fairly long coat of wool, the color of which may be different. In most cases, coat color has different shades of brown. The muzzle of these monkeys is mostly dark in color.

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Lifestyle and behavior

Spider-like monkeys live mainly in small groups, the composition of which includes a maximum of ten individuals. In rare cases, when there is a need for this, animals can form whole flocks of up to forty individuals. Primates of this species are mainly chosen as a territory for living by forest canopies, and animals and go down to the ground. In order to exist normally, spider monkeys necessarily need to grow quite large trees on the territory.

At night, the monkeys are also located in the trees, sleeping, sitting close to each other. To move among plants, primates use forelegs, as well as a very tenacious tail.This method is called semi-brachy. Spider monkeys are generally active during the daytime.

The behavior of primates of this species during the day is quite standard. The activity of these animals consists of food, small trips, communication with other individuals, as well as recreation. It should be noted that it is impossible to call these animals extremely active, they spend about half of the daytime after rest. About 20% of the period of activity is the process of nutrition. It is also impossible to call sociable representatives of the species, since they spend only about 2% of the day time on communication with other individuals. The remaining period of time spider monkeys are happy to spend on moving among the vegetation.

Each group of primates chooses to live a separate tree on which to be able to settle down and equip their own homes. It is worth noting that if in the area of residence of spider monkeys active deforestation is carried out, individuals can easily leave the inhabited territories. The animals will return to their former place only when the trees have reached the necessary height for life.

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Lifespan

In addition to the unusual appearance, representatives of arachnids and monkeys also differ in the difference in life expectancy. Males in natural conditions, as a rule, live no more than 10 years. Females live a little longer, they can easily live to 12-15 years. If you create optimal conditions for these animals to live, they can live even 25 years or more. There are examples when in captivity representatives of this species lived to be 40 years old.

What eat spider-like primates?

The basis of the menu of arachnids monkeys are various plants, of which primates eat mostly leaves and flowers. In addition, as an addition to the diet of monkeys can use seeds and fruits. In rare cases, monkeys of this species can pamper themselves with insects or soft wood.

Reproduction monkeys

The female of arachnids of primates for one pregnancy in most cases bears only one calf. Unlike many other animals, monkeys of this species are completely not tied to the seasons and can breed throughout the year. It is worth noting that in the period of mating and gestation of offspring, primates extremely negatively and aggressively react to other individuals.At first, the female feeds the baby on her own, upon reaching 4 months of age, plant foods are introduced into her diet. With the mother, the cub remains for about a couple of years, after which it begins to lead an independent life. Primate becomes sexually mature only by five years.

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