Spider Monkey
The Spider Monkey 6/18/2021 The spider monkey is a species of primate that reside in the rainforests of Central and South America. They get their name from their iconic, lanky limbs and tail, resembling a spider with their long legs. When standing on their hind legs they can stand over two feet tall and weigh in around 20 pounds on average. There is estimated to only be a few hundred spider monkeys left in the wild, with around 300 being kept in captivity around the world. In 2008 they were listed as endangered, and now all 7 species of spider monkey ranges from vulnerable to critically endangered. Like many other rainforest dwellers, deforestation, hunting and illegal pet trade are the main causes of the endangerment of the spider monkey. Spider monkeys play a very crucial role in their ecosystem. Being primary fruit eaters, these long legged primates are one of the main seed spreaders of Central and South America. Their digestive track actually helps to soften the outside of seeds,