WOOLLY SPIDER MONKEY

(Brachyteles arachnoides), extremely rare Brazilian monkey, family Cebidae, confined primarily to mountain forests of southeastern Brazil. It is listed in the Red Data Book as critically endangered. The woolly spider monkey is intermediate in structure and appearance between woolly (Lagothrix) and spider (Ateles) monkeys. Its thick fur, heavy body, and protruding abdomen are similar to those of woolly monkeys, while its reduced thumbs and long limbs resemble those of spider monkeys. The woolly spider monkey is 4563 cm (1725 inches) long excluding the 6580-centimetre (2530-inch) tail. It is yellowish or brown with a hairless face and a prehensile tail. Little is known of its habits. It is active by day and moves among the treetops, gathering its food of leaves, seeds, and fruit.