Peruvian Spider Monkey

The Peruvian spider monkey, also known as ateles chamek, was placed on the endangered species list by IUCN red list because of its slow reproduction rate and its major population drop within the last few years.  This species of spider monkey has elongated body parts, which its name derives from, that helps it live in lowland, sometimes flooded, forests.  It lives in places like western Brazil and north-eastern Peru.  The male species of Peruvian spider monkeys defend the whole territory from predators while the females hunt for food for their young, which matures at around four or five years old.  After the young mature, the females have to move off to different groups so that they can keep genetic diversity within their population.  The main problem with the decline in population of the Peruvian spider monkey is that human beings have been destroying their habitats through deforestation and the locals hunting, or poaching, for food.  This has caused a major problem with their population growth because they can not keep up with the changes of their environment.  Overall all of these primate species, such as the Peruvian spider monkey, have been affected by our actions and if we don't change them soon we may loose them all.