What is the difference between spider monkey and monkey?

The term "monkey" is a broad category that encompasses many different types of primates. "Spider monkey" is a specific type of monkey. Here's the breakdown:

* Monkey: This is a general term for a group of primates that excludes humans, apes, and prosimians. Monkeys are typically smaller than apes, and they often have tails. There are over 260 different species of monkeys, with a huge diversity in size, appearance, and behavior.

* Spider monkey: This is a specific type of monkey, belonging to the genus _Ateles_. They are found in Central and South America. They are characterized by:

* Prehensile tail: This means their tail is strong enough to act like a fifth limb, allowing them to hang and swing through trees.

* Long limbs: They have very long arms and legs, which helps them navigate the rainforest canopy.

* Absence of thumbs: Unlike many other monkeys, spider monkeys lack thumbs on their hands.

So, think of it like this:

* Monkey: Like the umbrella term "fruit" - it can be an apple, a banana, or a pear.

* Spider monkey: Like a specific type of fruit, like "banana."

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Monkey | Spider Monkey |

|-----------------|---------------------|----------------|

| Category | Broad | Specific |

| Location | Worldwide (except | Central & South |

| | Antarctica) | America |

| Prehensile tail | Often (not all) | Always |

| Thumb | Present (usually) | Absent |

| Size | Varied | Medium to large |

| Habitat | Varied | Rainforest |

Hope this helps!