Field guide · rare
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Five-limbed canopy acrobat — prehensile tail, long arms, and Endangered rainforest grace.
Endangered
Ateles geoffroyi
Overview
Geoffroy's spider monkeys swing through Mesoamerican rainforests with elongated limbs and a fifth “hand” — a prehensile tail. They live in fission–fusion communities and specialise on ripe fruit high in the canopy.
For Costa Rica and Mexico collectors, this spider monkey is a rare canopy card — fluid brachiation and a conservation warning in every leap.
- Scientific nameAteles geoffroyi
- Length30–63 cm body; tail ~60–85 cm
- Weight6–9 kg
- LifespanAround 20–25 years in the wild
- DietPrimarily ripe fruit
- ConservationEndangered
- RegionCentral American Canopy
Habitat
- Tropical rainforest
- Semi-deciduous forest
- Canopy corridor
Evergreen and semi-deciduous tropical forest from southern Mexico through Central America, depending on continuous canopy for travel and fruit.
Field notes
Field scale for the Geoffroy's Spider Monkey: length around 30-63 cm body; tail ~60-85 cm; weight 6-9 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 20-25 years in the wild.
When you are scanning habitat, prioritise tropical rainforest, semi-deciduous forest, and canopy corridor. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.
Quick ID anchor: Long-limbed monkey with a prehensile tail and dark to golden-brown coat depending on subspecies. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.
Where to see one
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, strong options include Monteverde Cloud Forest and Corcovado National Park. Misty canopy bridges and moss-draped trees, with sloths, quetzals, and hummingbirds in cool highland forest.
Open the Costa Rica spotting guide for every park note tied to the geoffroy's spider monkey.
Diet
Primarily ripe fruit, plus leaves, flowers, and occasional insects.
Travel widely to track patchy fruiting trees in the canopy.
Behaviour
Fission–fusion social system with loud calls between subgroups.
Move by brachiation and tail-assisted climbing; rarely descend to the ground.
How to identify
Long-limbed monkey with a prehensile tail and dark to golden-brown coat depending on subspecies.
Small head, long limbs, and fluid swinging gait are diagnostic.
Interesting facts
- 01
Prehensile tail acts as a fifth limb.
- 02
Arms are longer than the legs — built for brachiation.
- 03
Thumb is reduced or absent, aiding hook-like grips.
- 04
Ripe fruit dominates the diet.
- 05
Communities split and merge through the day.
- 06
Among the most Endangered primates in Mesoamerica.
Conservation status
Geoffroy's spider monkeys are Endangered. Deforestation and hunting fragment canopy routes they need. Large protected forests in Mexico and Costa Rica are vital corridors.
Sources: IUCN Red List
Keep exploring
Where it lives
Related discoveries
- Jaguarlegendary • Rainforest & Wetland
- Harpy Eaglelegendary • Rainforest Canopy
- Resplendent Quetzallegendary • Cloud Forest
- Baird's Tapirlegendary • Central American Forest
- Axolotlrare • Lake & Canals
- Giant Manta Rayrare • Open Ocean & Reefs
- Hawksbill Turtlerare • Coral Reefs
- Ocelotrare • Neotropical Forest
Free on iOS
Catch the Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Spot one in the wild, then scan it in Catch'Um to log your rare discovery.