Since the female produces only a single young and the interbirth period is changeable and extended, the reproductive rate of Ateles in the wild is very low. Thus wild populations of Ateles are slow to recuperate from any form of hunting. It appears that the genus Ateles is very susceptible to human perturbation of the habitat, and it may be among the first primate species to decline with severe disturbance. After a gestation period of 140 days, one young is born. The baby is carried on the mother's abdomen until it can ride on her back.
Infants spend much time playing.
They explore, or chase, grapple, and jump on others. The more playmates one has, the more likely he is to play. The longest living member of the spider monkey family was 33 years of age. Scientific name Ateles geoffroyi Miscellaneous Golden spider monkeys live in groups of 10-40. The females have a more active leading role than males.