Spider Monkeys

The head and the body length of spider monkeys ranges from 13-23 in (34-59 cm). Their tails are longer, ranging between 24-36 in (61-92 cm). The sexes are about the same size, but the males can be fairly easily determined because of their noticeably longer canine teeth. The arms, hands, legs, and feet are all very long and thin, as are their bodies. Interestingly, their tails, which often act as a fifth arm or leg, are without fur for about 3.2 in (8 cm) on the underside near the tip. The absence of fur probably enhances their tails' ability to grasp objects.

These monkeys are almost always found in trees and inhabit a variety of forest types. Second only to the gibbon in agility, they are masters at locomotion. They move around in the trees using all four limbs, as well as their tails. Their long, prehensile tails can easily support their body weight and enable them to jump from tree to tree with ease. They are able to leap large distances into dense masses of branches, which is especially useful if they are in a situation where they need to break their fall. Sometimes, when watching for danger, these monkeys stand on two feet; in doing this, their tails usually provide support.

For most species of spider monkey, the fur on the coat is coarse, although some species have finer, softer fur. A spider monkey's fur has a variety of basic colors, including yellowish-gray, darker gray, reddish-brown, darker brown, and almost black. While some underfur is lacking in all species of spider monkey, the monkeys' underparts are typically a lighter shade than their backs. These monkeys' bodies lack sharp contrasts in color, although sometimes darker monkeys will have lighter fur on their faces, especially near their eyes. Their skin tone A spider monkey. Photograph by Art Wolfe/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced by permission. varies, but usually, when exposed, it appears black. It can be lighter around their eyes, and a few varieties of spider monkeys have almost Caucasian skin on their faces.