Adopt an Animal
E-cards
Travel
SUPPORT WWF
Black Spider Monkey
Natural born acrobat of South America
Common Name: Spider monkey; Coaita noir(Fr); Coata Negro(Sp)
Scientific Name: Ateles paniscus
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Location: Northern South America
Background
© WWF - Canon / Roger LeGUEN
Spider monkeys are encountered in healthy tropical rainforests in Central and South America. They are vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss due to human activity. The black spider monkey, Ateles paniscus, is one of three species of spider monkey.
Physical Description
Black spider monkeys are one of the largest primates in south America. They exhibit anatomical and locomotory adaptions not unlike those of apes.
Their prehensile tail allows them to find stability when sitting on branches, to reach out for food at the tip of fragile branches by suspending themselves, and also as a fifth member for moving in perilous places.
Size
Their weight ranges from 15 to 19 pounds. Body ranges from 16 to 24 inches, and the tail is about 24 to 32 inches.
Color
Black all over, although the face can be a different color.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Neotropical
Range States
Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil
Geographical Location
Northern South America
Ecological Region
Guianan Moist Forests
Why is this species important?
The black spider monkey has an important role in seed dispersal in tropical forests.
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
-
Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
-
Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
-
Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
-
Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
-
Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
-
Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
-
Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
Related Information
WWF Experts
Dr. Margaret 'Meg' Symington
Managing Director
Amazon
"Seeking solutions that benefit all of nature -- animals, people and the places where they live -- is the hallmark of WWF's success in the Amazon."
Read more
Take Action
Take action through WWF's Conservation Action Network, where you can speak out for wildlife and wild places around the globe.
Read more
Free T-Shirt With Donation
Make a gift to help protect the future of nature today and we'll send you a free "Hotter than I should be" t-shirt that you can proudly wear to demonstrate your support of WWF.