Comparing a Spider Monkey and a Squirrel Monkey
The 5 main differences between a spider monkey and a squirrel monkey
The main differences between a spider monkey and a squirrel monkey are size, the presence of a prehensile tail, and their appearance. Although all monkeys have some similarities, there are often some rather notable differences between varying species. In the New World, there are a few specialized groups of monkeys that have evolved side, diverging millions of years ago. When it comes to spider and squirrel monkeys, the split happened quite a long time ago. These monkeys are quite different in appearance, size, and more. There are seven species of spider monkey and five species of squirrel monkey. Although both have unique names associated with animals (spiders and squirrels), neither have any relation to their namesakes. Instead, they get their names from the appearances that they give when seen in the wild. Spider monkeys often hang upside down from trees by their tails and stretch out their long, spindly arms (like a spider). Squirrel monkeys are small in size and somewhat resemble a squirrel. Aside from their evolutionary and namesake differences, there are a few other variations, including their size, tails, and intelligence. Let’s explore these in some more detail below!
Spider Monkey vs Squirrel Monkey: Size
Regarding size, spider monkeys are significantly larger than squirrel monkeys. In fact, spider monkeys are among the largest species of primate in the New World. Most individuals reach 26 lbs, although some species can get a bit larger. Squirrel monkeys, as their name would suggest, are incredibly small. These small primates usually measure less than a foot long (minus the tail) and weigh less than 2 lbs. Even with their size, they aren’t the smallest New World monkey, with that honor belonging to the marmoset and tamarin.
Spider Monkey vs Squirrel Monkey: Appearance
Squirrel monkeys are characterized by their small bodies, short fur, and long tails with a bushy end. Another notable characteristic is their black and white faces, giving them their nickname, the “death’s head” monkey. Spider monkeys are known for their extremely long and spindly arms paired with a long prehensile tail. These long arms are what inspired the monkeys’ name in the first place. There are a few different species of spider monkey, all with their unique fur colorations. Generally, spider monkeys have dark backs with lighter-colored bellies.
Spider Monkey vs Squirrel Monkey: Tail
The spider monkey, along with most New World monkeys, has what’s known as prehensile tails. Prehensile tails are tails that are adapted to grasp or hold onto objects. In the case of the spider monkey, these tails are used to hang from tree branches as they climb and search for food. Squirrel monkeys don’t have prehensile tails. Instead of using their tails to grasp things, squirrel monkeys use them as a counterbalance to help them move along thin branches faster. Essentially, they act as a pendulum, helping them to keep balance.
Spider Monkey vs Squirrel Monkey: Intelligence
Almost all primates have a high level of intelligence, but spider monkeys are among the top of the entire list. It was originally thought that New World primates weren’t as intelligent as Old World primates, but new data may say otherwise. Recent studies show that spider monkeys may even be the smartest of all the New World monkeys, unseating the previously held champion, the capuchin monkey. Although spider monkeys are among the smartest in the New World, squirrel monkeys are also incredibly intelligent. In fact, squirrel monkeys have the highest brain-to-body ratio of any non-human primate in the New World. Their size and intellect have made them perfect test subjects in human experimentation, with an individual named Miss Baker even heading to space as a part of a United States space mission!
Spider Monkey vs Squirrel Monkey: Species
Spider monkeys:
Genus Ateles: spider monkeysRed-faced spider monkey, Ateles paniscusWhite-fronted spider monkey, Ateles belzebuthPeruvian spider monkey, Ateles chamekBrown spider monkey, Ateles hybridusWhite-cheeked spider monkey, Ateles marginatusBlack-headed spider monkey, Ateles fuscicepsBrown-headed spider monkey, Ateles fusciceps fuscicepsColombian spider monkey, Ateles fusciceps rufiventrisGeoffroy’s spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyiHooded spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi grisescensYucatan spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensisMexican spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi vellerosusNicaraguan spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyiOrnate spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi ornatus
Squirrel monkeys: Genus Saimiri
S. sciureus groupCentral American squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstediiBlack-crowned Central American squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedii oerstediiGrey-crowned Central American squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedii citrinellusCommon squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureusSaimiri sciureus sciureusSaimiri sciureus albigenaHumboldt’s squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus cassiquiarensisEcuadorian squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus macrodonBare-eared squirrel monkey, Saimiri ustusS. boliviensis groupBlack-capped squirrel monkey, Saimiri boliviensisBolivian squirrel monkey, Saimiri boliviensis boliviensisPeruvian squirrel monkey, Saimiri boliviensis peruviensisBlack squirrel monkey, Saimiri vanzolinii
