White+Bellied+Spider+Monkey


 * ﻿ WHITE BELLIED SPIDER MONKEY ** //(Ateles belzebuth) //

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**__ Gene﻿ral Information __** The white bellied spider monkeys are very similar to other spider monkeys, with a few exceptions. Like most monkeys, the white bellied spider monkey has long, slender limbs. They ar﻿e typically dark brown to black with much paler under parts and hind limbs. White bellied spider monkeys are diurnal, sle﻿eping at night and active during the day, and primarily eat fruit. They also, however, eat leaves, seeds, and invertebrates. The reproduction of these animals is not a short process. Their gestation period is 225 days and they give birth to a single young. As a female approaches maturity, they leave their natal group, leaving the male behind. **__Ha﻿bi﻿ ta﻿t __** **﻿ ﻿﻿ **White bellied spider monkeys are found in tropica﻿ l and subtropical lowland and piedmont areas in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Tropical and subtropical lands are very moist and have many tall trees. The monkeys typically live at the top of these trees in the higher areas of the forests and can be found as high as 1,800 meters.  __**Endangerme﻿ nt **__ White bellied spider monkeys have been listed as an threatened or vulnerable species since 1982. Within the past decade, however, they have been officially listed as an endangered species. In the past three generations the species have declined approximately 30%. Possible causes for this include massive human colonization. Humans have been destroying the monkey's habitats by hunting and deforesting for years. The decline in this species and many others could be prevented if humans would stop using their land for development. The [|Oregon Primate Rescue] is dedicated to saving these monkeys as well as many other species. <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> __**<span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">The Endangered <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">﻿ Species Act **__ <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress on December 28, 1973. It recognized that many of the worlds native plants and animals were becoming extinct. The purpose for the act was to protect these species and the ecosystems in which they depend on. Under the Endangered Species Act, a species can either be list as threatened or endangered. If a species is considered "threatened" they will most likely become endangered over a period of time. An "endangered" species refers to one that is in danger of becoming extinct.**__﻿__**﻿ Personally, I feel the Endangered Species Act was a great idea by Congress, however I feel that it should be stricter. If anyone is caught harming one of these animals, (or any animals for that matter), they should be thrown into jail. <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;"> **__<span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">References __** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[|Save American Forests Website]<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">﻿﻿  <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[|Arkive Website]﻿  <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[|Animal Diversity Website]  <span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">[|The Fish and Wildlife Service Website]<span style="color: #5e3115; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">