The brown spider monkey or variegated spider monkey (Ateles hybridus)
The brown spider monkey or variegated spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) is a critically endangered species of spider monkey, a type of New World monkey, from forests in northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.
Like all spider monkeys, it has long, slender limbs and a long prehensile tail. The brown spider monkey has a whitish belly and patch on the forehead, and – highly unusual among spider monkeys – its eyes can be pale blue.
The brown spider monkey is one of the most threatened primates in the Neotropics and has been listed six times on The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates.
Taxonomy
Some scientists recognize two subspecies, Ateles hybridus hybridus, found in both Colombia and Venezuela and Ateles hybridus brunneus, found between Cauca and Magdalena River in Colombia. Molecular studies have not supported the subspecies designations and treat the species as a single taxon.
Description and peculiarities
Ateles hybridus is a Neotropical platyrrhine primate, belonging to the genus Ateles. Ateles hybridus is a very rare species, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Adult males weigh between 7.9 and 8.6 kg, while females are larger and weigh between 7.5 and 10.5 kg. They spend most of their lives in the upper canopy of tall trees, and when moving around they hang more by their tails or move by brachiation (grasping with their hands) than by walking on branches.
Nutrition
Ateles hybridus feeds mainly on soft ripe fruit, which constitutes up to 80% of its diet. Young leaves, flowers and seeds are also eaten.
Social behaviour and reproduction
Ateles hybridus live in groups of 20 to 30 animals, however, during feeding they never stay together and disperse over a large area. After a long pregnancy period of 226-232 days, a calf is born. The interval between births in the wild is usually about 17.5 months, in captivity up to 30 months.
Subspecies
- Ateles hybridus brunneus:
- Ateles hybridus hybridus.
