variegated spider monkey

The variegated spider monkey (Ateles variegatus) is a South American primate characterized by its black, white, and yellow coloration. As a type of spider monkey, it belongs to the genus Ateles and is known for its agility in forest canopies. These monkeys are large, with bodies measuring 14–26 inches long, and possess a tail that functions as a fifth limb, often longer than their body.12

Spider monkeys inhabit forests from southern Mexico through Central and South America to Brazil. They are primarily frugivores, supplementing their diet with nuts, seeds, flowers, leaves, spiders, and bird eggs. All true spider monkey species are considered threatened, with some critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.2