Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey (Koata Zhofrua): Agile Acrobat
Geoffroy’s spider monkeys are primarily forest dwellers but thrive in areas where savanna ecosystems meet woodlands or riverbanks. These monkeys are famous for their remarkable agility, swinging from tree to tree using their long limbs and prehensile tails. This adaptation allows them to forage for fruits, flowers, and leaves in the canopy, avoiding ground-level predators.
Social by nature, Geoffroy’s spider monkeys live in fission-fusion groups, where smaller subgroups form and disband based on food availability. They are vocal animals, using loud calls and screeches to communicate with one another across the treetops.
As seed dispersers, spider monkeys contribute to the regeneration of forests and woodlands in savanna regions, indirectly supporting the biodiversity of other species. Sadly, deforestation and hunting have made them vulnerable, highlighting the need for stricter protections and habitat restoration efforts.