Spider monkeys in Costa Rica

The spider monkey is the most intelligent species of monkeys of all species of monkeys throughout Costa Rica. This kind of species is one of the most interesting and funny to watch. They live in tropical rain forests here in Costa Rica.

Tourists love to record them in video while they jump between the treetops. Their tail is like another arm or leg as it is very flexible and prehensile. They pick up speed through the trees using their front paws and tail. It's so cool to watch! In fact, female's tail is longer.


The females are lighter than males usually. They move quickly and swiftly through the branches of the upper canopy of the forest about 20 to 30 meters high. Depending on the species, the body length of 65-90 cm in length, and the prehensile tail of 60-92 cm.

No doubt it will not be hard to notice that they are very playful and are also nervous creatures. They are always alert, with every right to be, since there is in these rainforest's predators who would be very happy to eat them. These include Pumas, Jaguars, Boa Constrictors and the Harpy Eagle.


Spider monkeys in Costa Rica live in territorial groups of 6-30 individuals, who share an area of ​​90-250 acres and foraging in trees during the day, at an average height of 15 m, in subgroups of 2-8 monkeys. They feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, bark and wood.

As unusual as it might sound like the females tend to disperse at puberty to join different groups, while males remain in their original group. In most cases, the Females choose a mate for the group. That's funny! It is just like women do with men. Did you know...That the Spider monkeys reach sexual maturity at 4 or 5 years, and that they can live up to 20 years?


Most babies are born during the dry season. Babies are still partially dependent on its mother's milk during the first year of life. Gestation lasts 225 days every 2 to 3 years, playing slow is because spider monkeys are very sensitive to human disturbance, and their populations recover quickly when they are hunted or due to deforestation.

Unfortunately, the spider monkey is on the list of endangered species.

they can be found in all these national parks in Costa Rica,
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Estación Biológica La Selva, Parque Nacional Corcovado, Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde they can also be found in San Vito.


If you are a tourist in Costa Rica do not stop taking pictures and video of these animals full of curiosity.