Peruvian spider monkeys belong to the spider monkey family. The area of distribution of this animal species is quite extensive: tropical lowland forests of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Primates live in the upper part of trees, hiding from predatory animals in their branches covered with heavy foliage.
Spider monkeys live in groups. One group can contain up to 20 or 30 animals. However, they are not very closely tied to each other. The groups are divided into subgroups. Males are engaged in the search for food, while females are engaged in carrying and raising cubs. Conjugal relations can start at any time of the year, and the pregnancy period takes 8 months.
Spider monkeys feed on fruits, seeds, and small insects. Thanks to them, the seeds of tropical trees are widely distributed.
Today, according to the decision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this primate species is listed in the Red Book. Hunting for them is prohibited by law. However, a huge number of individuals have been destroyed by poachers because of their valuable fur and nutritious meat. The decline in the population is also affected by the devastation of forests and the capture of cubs.
