Animal Adaptation by

Facts About Spider Monkeys !

imdaprettyone11 — 2014-01-29 19:00:08 UTC

Spider monkeys do not have a thumb. Their four fingers are curved and look like a hook, which is special adaptation to the life in the forest.

Spider monkeys are arboreal animals (they spend their life in the treetops) and they can be rarely seen on the ground.

Spider monkeys eat mainly plant-based food. 90% of their diet consists of fruit, seed, nuts and flowers. Other than that, spider monkeys eat bird's eggs and insects.

Spider monkeys are very social animals. They live in the groups called troops. Since they are diurnal (active during the day), spider monkeys will split into smaller groups that will separately search for food.

Spider Monkey

imdaprettyone11 — 2014-01-29 20:26:32 UTC

The spider monkey has made many adaptations over the years. Some of the adaptations of the spider monkey include the long tail which is flexible and strong. The tail can also reach far and into tight spaces, it can be used to hang and swing from, eat fruit with it, and throw things. Another adaptation is the hook like hands that they use. Their hook like hands are used to swing from branch to branch and to hang from branches.

What Are Some Disadvantages of The Spider Monkeys Adaptation ?

imdaprettyone11 — 2014-01-29 21:43:24 UTC

Number of spider monkeys is constantly decreasing because of the habitat loss, intense deforestation, hunt (indigenous people eat the meat of spider monkeys) and pet trade. The black-headed spider monkey, woolly spider monkey, and brown spider monkey are listed as critically endangered animals.

Spider Monkeys Adapations

imdaprettyone11 — 2014-01-29 21:58:37 UTC

They lack a thumb, which is not a less evolved trait, but rather a result of their environmental adaptation. This is due to the fact that they are accustomed to travel from tree to tree in their arboreal surroundings and the thumb is not highly needed (they have a shrunken thumb).