These creatures are highly social animals that gather together into large troops of somewhat related individuals. These troops tend to be small, but gatherings of around 50 monkeys have been observed. These troops break up into smaller groups throughout the day to forage and sleep, especially if it’s the case that food is scarce, but they are usually close enough within reach to aid each other against threats. Feeding typically starts in the morning hours and continues throughout the day, while they sleep in trees during the night. The troop doesn’t appear to have a definitive structure, but it is believed that a single female plans out the group feeding activities for the day. A baby monkey will depend on its mother for nursing and protection for around a year after it is born. Anatomy and physiology Geoffroy's spider monkey Spider monkey skeleton on display at The Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The spider monkey genus belongs to the family Atelidae, which also includes howler monkeys and woolly monkeys. This is the only family of primates in the world with full prehensile tails.Bingham, Ann (2004). South and Meso-American Mythology A to Z. Facts on File Inc. p.77. ISBN 978-0-8160-4889-2.

Spider monkeys are New World monkeys belonging to the genus Ateles, part of the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. The genus consists of seven species, all of which are under threat; the brown spider monkey is critically endangered. They are also notable for their ability to be easily bred in captivity.

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One of the spider monkey’s predators is the puma, which can hunt them in trees due to their climbing abilities. With its long limbs and tail, this species leaps and bounds from one branch to another in a graceful display of aerial control. It is intelligent, caring, and agile, but also loud and aggressive. Because of hunting and habitat loss, the entire genus is threatened by the specter of extinction. Considerable effort has gone to preserving the last of the spider monkey populations. 3 Spider Monkey Facts