Mexican Spider Monkey
Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus
Did you know?
- Mexican spider monkeys are a subspecies of the black-handed spider monkey, another species we have at the Saint Louis Zoo.
- These monkeys hang from branches by their tails with their long limbs suspended in the air. They resemble spiders dangling from a web, which is how they got their name.
- Their arms are longer than their legs, and their tails are longer than their bodies.
- They are also called the northern Mesoamerican or Yucatán spider monkey.
- Because of their diet in the wild — primarily fruit — spider monkeys are important seed dispersers, keeping their rainforest homes diverse and healthy.
Not a Pet
Spider monkeys, especially Mexican spider monkeys, are one of the most trafficked species crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. They are taken for the pet trade. The infant monkeys are taken from the wild — and their families — often killing their mothers and other members of the troop who try to protect the young. The Wildlife Trafficking Alliance and International Fund for Animal Welfare launched the “Not a Pet” campaign, highlighting the many reasons exotic animals, including spider monkeys, do not make good pets. You can learn more at notapet.net.
No Thumbs? No Problem.
While almost all primates have thumbs, spider monkeys are an exception. Having long fingers and no thumbs helps them to move quickly through the trees, and their strong, grasping tail can hold on to anything that a thumb would.
Threat Level
- Unknown
- Common
- Near Threatened
- Threatened
- Endangered
- Critically Endangered
- Extinct in the Wild
Endangered
The Mexican spider monkey faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Range
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador
Habitat
Tropical rainforests
We care about Mexican spider monkeys
The Saint Louis Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for spider monkeys. This is a cooperative breeding program, with a number of zoos working together to ensure the survival of the species. We also support a family of spider monkeys at the Zoo. Learn more about how we are helping conservation around the world.
Find this animal in Historic Hill
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE
Historic Hill
Historic Hill is a lovely stroll through one of the oldest parts of the Saint Louis Zoo. From the 1904 World’s Fair Flight Cage to the Spanish architectural flavor of the 1920s in the Bird House, Primate House and Herpetarium to the finishing touches of our thoroughly modern exhibits, this area of the Zoo has a unique ambiance and a nostalgic history that make it a great destination.