Also known as Geoffrey's spider monkey, this species is the largest of the New World monkeys. The black-handed spider monkey's locomotion includes climbing, walking or running on four limbs along delicate branches, swinging from tree limb to tree limb using their arms. Their prehensile tail acts as a fifth limb for them.
Fast Facts
- Black-handed spider monkeys tend to from large social groups of 30 individuals; however larger groups have been observed.
- Black-handed spider monkeys “bark," throw branches, shake tree limbs, and jump up and down when threatened.
- These monkeys forage for food and primarily eat fruit.
Scientific name |
Ateles geoffroyi |
Range | Central and South America |
Conservation status | Endangered |
Diet | Omnivore |
Zoo name(s) | Malibu, George, Monji |
Zoo location | Monkey Moat |