Description
Black-faced black spider monkeys have long arms and legs, long tails, and thick, silky black pelage. The skin around their eyes and mouths is pinkish-gray skin. Their feet are also pink. A silvery genital patch extends down their inner thighs. Infants are born with a more grayish-black coat that becomes darker with age.
Their long tails are prehensile, which means that they are able to hang from them—this helps them move through the canopy. Unlike most other primates, they only have a vestigial thumb, which allows them to swing more easily among the trees.
This species, like other spider monkeys, is highly frugivorous. Fruits make up around 85% of their diets. In some areas, figs can make up almost 50% of their diet and these are eaten year-round even when unripe. While fruits are their preferred source of food, they also eat leaves and, to a lesser extent, flowers and insects to supplement their diets.
