05-02-2008
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#17 (permalink) |
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añejo
Merchant
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX
Posts: 5,171
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I just received a nice note from Dr. Linda Duchin who we met while visiting the monkeys at The Jungle Place. She sent me some more information about the spider monkeys that I thought you monkey fans might find interesting.
SPIDER MONKEYS of the YUCATAN (Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis) Spider monkeys are among the largest New World monkeys (weighing up to 11kg). They are primarily fruit-eaters. They will also eat leaves, flowers, and seeds from a large variety of plants, but ripe fruit makes up 75-93% of their diet. Spider monkeys live and sleep in the highest trees in evergreen tropical rain forests. Like all higher primates, these monkeys have grasping fingers and toes with nails and tactile (touch) pads, that we call fingerprints. There is also a tactile pad with ridges at the end of the tail (tail print!), that allows them to grasp and hang on with just their tail. Spider monkeys are one of the few monkeys in the world with this specialized ‘prehensile’ tail. They are also the only monkeys that swing by their arms. The only other animals that brachiate (arm-over-arm traveling) are apes. With their long limbs and a long prehensile tail, they are completely adapted for life in the trees. Spider monkeys are also unique among monkeys because of their social organization. They live in large extended-family troops of males, females and their young. Their societies are called ‘fission-fusion’ groups, because they break into smaller groups when foraging for food, then the whole group comes back together. When they join together again, they embrace each other and groom each other’s hair. Spider monkeys are very social, forming long lasting bonds with each other. Males’ strongest bonds are with other males (often their relatives), and juvenile males are anxious to leave mom and join the big boys. Females’ strongest bonds are with their babies, adult daughters, and other females. Females give birth to one infant, who nurses for up to two years, and is completely dependent on mother for three years. Like all primates (except us), babies use their strong grasping fingers and toes to cling to the mom’s front; older babies are carried on the mother’s back. The long juvenile stage is filled with learning. Like other monkeys (and apes), these primates have very large brains, and most of what they do is learned rather than instinctive. Spider monkeys are friendly, curious and intelligent. They are gentle and peaceful with only one major predator: humans. Their habitat is threatened, and they are still being hunted. They among the most highly endangered monkeys in the Western Hemisphere. |
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05-31-2008
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#18 (permalink) |
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añejo
Merchant
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX
Posts: 5,171
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Just a quick update:
Yesterday, I received and email from Dr. Linda the primatologist. The Jungle Place was visited and evaluated by a representative from the International Primate Protection League (IPPL). She concluded that it was the best private monkey sanctuary she had ever seen!! Congratulations Heidi and Joel!! |
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06-01-2008
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#20 (permalink) |
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reposado
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tucson Arizona
Posts: 1,248
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Pretty sure they will Tappy.
When turning into Chemuyil..just stay to the right, and keep to the right. Even after the road turns to dirt (I think it's called the 'jungle' road., Or, so I was told) ...and keep going. You'll see it on the left side. There is a sign out front. Lalo, of Oscar and Lalo's owns the house to the left of the Jungle Place. Here is their website... Kuxi K'aax - The Jungle Place You'll have a GREAT time....guaranteed. Also some photos from last year....looks like Maya has grown quite a bit! Mayan Riviera 2007 Photo Gallery by Rick Schmitz at pbase.com Last edited by Rixx; 06-01-2008 at 10:30 AM.. |
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06-01-2008
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#22 (permalink) | |
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way into it
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Auburn, a suburb of Seattle, Washington
Posts: 192
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06-01-2008
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#23 (permalink) | |
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reposado
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tucson Arizona
Posts: 1,248
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Make sure you guys don't have any regular insect repellent on.....you won't be able to go in w/monkeys. It has to be the 'natural' kind of repellent...can't remember the name of it. We made that mistake the first time we went there.... Rixx |
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06-02-2008
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#24 (permalink) | |
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añejo
Merchant
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX
Posts: 5,171
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06-02-2008
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#25 (permalink) | |
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añejo
Merchant
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX
Posts: 5,171
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06-02-2008
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#26 (permalink) |
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sandflea
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
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Great pictures! We leave for our trip on Friday and expect to be in PDC on June 13 or so. (!!!) Loved your pictures and report. Do you think that it would be appropriate for a 4 year old (just turned 4) or would he be too young to enjoy? I also worry if the monkeys are really dive bombing that it might be too much.
Thanks! I'd appreciate your advise. |
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06-02-2008
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#27 (permalink) | |
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añejo
Merchant
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX
Posts: 5,171
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Quote:
Cole was just 5 when we went and he was fine. I think it really depends on the child. 4 may be a bit too young to interact directly with the monkeys but not to young to go and enjoy from the otherside of the enclosures. When you email to make a reservation, ask Heidi what she thinks. She's the boss ultimately. If she thinks your child is too young, then that's that. |
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06-02-2008
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#28 (permalink) | |
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sandflea
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
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Thanks. I would love to go see this place on my next visit to the area.
