Spider monkeys are highly social, tree-dwelling primates native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Known for their long, slender limbs and prehensile tails, which they use almost like a fifth limb for swinging through trees, spider monkeys are incredibly agile and rarely come down to the ground. They live in large, loosely organized groups and communicate through a variety of vocalizations, postures, and facial expressions. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, but they also eat leaves, nuts, seeds, and occasionally insects. Spider monkeys are considered highly intelligent and play an important role in their ecosystems by helping disperse seeds. Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting have made several spider monkey species endangered or vulnerable in the wild.
Spider monkeys live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, ranging from southern Mexico down through the Amazon Basin in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. They thrive in dense, mature forests where tall trees provide the ideal environment for their arboreal lifestyle. These primates rarely descend to the ground, spending most of their lives in the forest canopy, where they use their long limbs and strong, prehensile tails to swing effortlessly from branch to branch. Spider monkeys prefer undisturbed, continuous stretches of forest, which offer both safety from predators and access to their primary food sources—fruits, leaves, and seeds. As a result, deforestation poses a major threat to their habitat and survival.