Full Grown Spider Monkey: Size, Appearance, Price & More

Spider monkeys are one of the most acrobatic and agile types of monkeys found in tropical forests of Central and South America. As they mature into fully grown adults, their size, behaviors, and care needs change significantly. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about full grown spider monkeys.

Size at Full Growth

Spider monkeys undergo dramatic changes in size and physique as they reach sexual maturity. On average, a fully grown adult male spider monkey:

• Weighs 8-13 lbs
• Measures 32-39 inches in length from head to tail tip
• Has a 22-26 inch long tail
• Stands roughly 24 inches tall when sitting or kneeling

Mature female spider monkeys tend to be slightly smaller, averaging 7-11 lbs in weight with a total length of 30-36 inches and 20-24 inch tail.

Appearance at Full Growth

Several distinctive physical traits emerge as spider monkeys mature into adults:

• Dense black or dark brown fur covers their entire bodies except for their faces, which remain hairless.
• Ears become more prominent and outward-facing.
• Musculature becomes more defined, especially in the arms and shoulders.
• Males develop a patch of distinguished white fur on their chests.
• Tail lengths max out, becoming almost as long as their bodies to aid in brachiation.

Sexual dimorphism also becomes apparent - males tend to be larger with thicker coats while females remain slimmer and more graceful in form.

Personality at Full Growth

As spider monkeys mature, several behavioral traits emerge that characterize their adult personalities:

• Very active and restless - they spend nearly all daylight hours in motion.
• Dominance hierarchies develop between males for access to mates.
• Mothers remain very attentive and nurturing towards dependent offspring.
• Form strong social bonds within family groups through grooming.
• Communication relies heavily on vocalizations like hoots and screams.

Playfulness persists into adulthood as well. Spider monkeys are always looking for fun and using their skills for climbing, spinning, somersaulting and more.

Price

Due to the challenges of breeding and raising spider monkeys in captivity combined with strict protections due to their endangered status, fully grown adults available as pets are rare to non-existent in the exotic pet trade. If a license could be obtained, expect to pay $5,000-$10,000 USD for a mature spider monkey.

Food/Feeding

In the wild, adult spider monkeys subsist on a variety of fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers and even bird eggs. A proper captive diet for a fully grown individual should aim to replicate this natural diversity:

• Fresh fruits - berries, bananas, mangoes, apples, oranges
• Vegetables - leafy greens, carrots, squash, broccoli
• Nuts, seeds, legumes - almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds
• Protein supplement - eggs, yogurt, cultured primate biscuits

Feeding should occur 2-3 times daily with 5-10% of their body weight provided. Fresh water must always be available.

Lifespan

With dedicated care in captivity, the typical lifespan of a spider monkey can reach 25-35 years. Females often live longer than males. The oldest spider monkey on record lived to be over 50 years old!

Health at Full Growth

Common health problems to monitor closely in mature spider monkeys include:

• Dental issues like cavities, gingivitis - their teeth don't stop growing
• Arthritis in weight-bearing joints from years of brachiation
• Obesity if overfed a diet too high in sugars or refined carbs
• Infections from bites or scratches sustained in rough play or fights
• Zoonotic diseases like herpes B virus which can be fatal to humans

Regular professional exams are crucial alongside a lifestyle that challenges them physically and mentally.

Care and Nutritional Needs

Maintaining the welfare of a fully grown spider monkey requires commitment to meeting its complex needs:

• Large enclosure - recommended minimum of 12x12x20 feet indoors and outdoors
• Appropriate climbing structures, platforms and swings
• Social interaction - they are highly social and best in compatible pairs or groups
• Mental stimulation - toys, puzzles, foraging opportunities
• 8+ hours daily physical activity and exercise options
• Professional training to ensure they can be safely handled

Financial costs for proper captive care often exceed $50 per day, not including veterinary expenses which will accumulate over a 30+ year lifespan.

Possible Behavioral Changes

While retaining their fun-loving personalities, adult spider monkeys experience some shifts in behaviors:

• Males become more territorial and more likely to display aggression towards other males seen as competitors.
• Establishment of dominance hierarchies means frequent sparring between males to assert social status.
• Maternal females turn exclusive focus to raising dependent offspring until they reach independence.
• Stronger preference for solo activities or interactions limited to close social groups.
• Reliance on highly developed communication skills like vocalizations increases.

Notable Characteristics

Some iconic traits for which fully matured spider monkeys are renowned include:

• Unmatched brachiation abilities - they swing effortlessly through trees using all four limbs.
• Impressive strength to weight ratios despite slender builds.
• Manual dexterity to skillfully manipulate objects, peel fruit, etc.
• Wedge-shaped social groups led by resident adult males and females.
• Flamboyant displays like somersaults and acrobatics used in communication.
• Distinctive coal-black fur and long prehensile tails perfect for their arboreal lifestyle.