Brown-headed spider monkey facts for kids
The brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps fusciceps) is a special type of spider monkey that lives in the forests of northwestern Ecuador. It is a subspecies of the black-headed spider monkey. Sadly, this monkey is critically endangered, which means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
Quick facts for kids Brown-headed spider monkey |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Atelidae |
| Genus: | Ateles |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
A. f. fusciceps
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| Trinomial name | |
| Ateles fusciceps fusciceps (Gray, 1866)
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Where They Live
Brown-headed spider monkeys make their homes in warm, wet forests. These forests are found on the western side of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. They live in areas that are about 100 and 1,700 metres (330 and 5,580 ft) above sea level. This means they can be found from lowlands up to higher mountain slopes.
Scientists have studied how many of these monkeys live in an area. They found about 1.2 monkeys per square kilometer. This helps them understand how big the monkey population is.
What They Look Like
The brown-headed spider monkey usually has a black or brown body. Its head is a distinct brown color. This helps it stand out from other types of spider monkeys. For example, a close relative, the Colombian spider monkey (A. f. rufiventris), is mostly black. The Colombian spider monkey might also have some white fur on its chin.
Why They Are Endangered
The brown-headed spider monkey is in great danger. Its population is shrinking quickly. The main reasons for this are:
- Habitat Loss: The forests where these monkeys live are being cut down. This is called deforestation. When trees are removed, the monkeys lose their homes and food sources.
- Hunting: Sadly, these monkeys are also hunted by people. This further reduces their numbers and makes it harder for them to survive.
Protecting their forest homes and stopping hunting are very important steps to help these amazing animals survive.
See also
In Spanish: Mono Araña de Cabeza Marron para niños
