White-whiskered spider monkey

The white-whiskered spider monkey is found in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. Living in the tree canopy and feeding mainly on fruit these acrobats of the forest are classified as Endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Little is known about this spider monkey, which is unique to Brazil and found nowhere else in the world.

White-whiskered spider monkey facts:

• It is a large, slender monkey with long, spider-like limbs
• It has a long, prehensile tail that acts like a fifth limb
• It lives in groups of up to 20-30 individuals

Loss of habitat from deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture has impacted heavily on the white-whiskered spider monkey’s home. Unfortunately these animals are also hunted, pushing them further towards the brink of extinction.

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been supporting the Cristalino Ecological Foundation’s (Fundação Ecológica Cristalino) innovative community education programme, Escola da Amazônia, to establish this charismatic primate as a flagship species for the preservation of Cristalino State Park, where they are still relatively abundant.

Raising the profile of the spider monkey in local communities not only helps to conserve the species but also the vitally important rainforest habitat they live in.

External link: Fundação Ecológica Cristalino