What is "spider monkey"

Spider \Spi"der\, n.[OE. spi[thorn]re, fr. AS. spinnan to spin; -- so named from spinning its web; cf. D. spin a spider, G. spinne, Sw. spindel. See Spin.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons, or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number (rarely six), and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax. See Illust. under Araneina.

   Note: Spiders are divided into two principal groups: the Dipneumona, having two lungs: and the Tetrapneumona, having four lungs. See Mygale. The former group includes several tribes; as, the jumping spiders (see Saltigrad[ae]), the wolf spiders, or Citigrad[ae] (see under Wolf), the crab spiders, or Laterigrad[ae] (see under Crab), the garden, or geometric, spiders, or Orbitell[ae] (see under Geometrical, and Garden), and others. See Bird spider, under Bird, Grass spider, under Grass, House spider, under House, Silk spider, under Silk.

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as the red spider (see under Red).

3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs, and was used over coals on the hearth.

4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.

5. (Mach.) A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as, a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc. Spider ant. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. Spider crab (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab ( Macrocheira Kempferi), measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they are extended. Spider fly (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscid[ae]. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. Spider hunter (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. Spider lines, filaments of a spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; -- used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. Spider mite. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. Any one of several species of parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas.

   2. Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants.

      Spider monkey (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail.

      Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant ( Ophrys aranifera), having flowers which resemble spiders.

      Spider shell (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.

n. 1 Any New World monkey of the genus ''Ateles'', with long, spindly limbs. 2 A muriqui, New World monkey of the genus (taxlink Brachyteles genus noshow=1), closely related to ''Ateles''.

n. arboreal monkey of tropical America with long slender legs and long prehensile tail [syn: Ateles geoffroyi]

Spider monkeys of the genus Ateles are New World monkeys in the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. The genus contains seven species, all of which are under threat; the black-headed spider monkey, and brown spider monkey are critically endangered.

Disproportionately long limbs and long prehensile tails make them one of the largest New World monkeys and give rise to their common name. Spider monkeys live in the upper layers of the rainforest, and forage in the high canopy, from . They primarily eat fruits, but will also occasionally consume leaves, flowers, and insects. Due to their large size, spider monkeys require large tracts of moist evergreen forests, and prefer undisturbed primary rainforest. They are social animals and live in bands of up to 35 individuals but will split up to forage during the day.

Recent meta-analyses on primate cognition studies indicated spider monkeys are the most intelligent New World monkeys. They can produce a wide range of sounds and will "bark" when threatened; other vocalisations include a whinny similar to a horse and prolonged screams.

They are an important food source due to their large size, so are widely hunted by local human populations; they are also threatened by habitat destruction due to logging and land clearing. Spider monkeys are susceptible to malaria and are used in laboratory studies of the disease. The population trend for spider monkeys is decreasing; the IUCN Red List lists one species as vulnerable, four species as endangered and two species as critically endangered.

Spidermonkey may refer to:

• Spider monkey, tropical forests animals of Central and South America
• SpiderMonkey (software), the code name for the first invented JavaScript engine
• Spidermonkey, a fictional character, one of the Ben 10 aliens
• Jake Spidermonkey, a fictional My Gym Partner's a Monkey character