Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Spider-Monkey, a popular name for any species of the genus Ateles, New World monkeys, from Central and South America, The thumb is absent or rudimentary. They are arboreal in habit, and have long limbs and a prehensile tail. The name is said to have been given by Some Europeans, who likened them to gigantic spiders.