The Black Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus) is also known as the Red Faced Monkey. Both names are suitable for it as it has long glossy black fur, a distinct bright pinky, reddish face and long, gangly, spidery limbs and tail.
The long prehensile tail allows it to grasp and wrap around objects and acts as a fifth limb, stabilizing the monkey as it travels or feeds in the tree tops; the underside of the tail tip does not have fur but is naked and padded like the palm of a hand. Beside their distinctive looks, Black Spider Monkeys have a distinctive way of moving as they swing from branch to branch using their long arms (this is called ‘brachiation‘); they rarely walk upright and are