Daredevils

A spider monkey clambers up a pine tree at the end of a long day of foraging in the cloud forests surrounding Arenal Volcano.

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A baby spider monkey gets a helping hand to cross a gap in the forest 70 feet above the ground. These high-flying monkeys are the daredevils of the rainforest, making incredible leaps that defy gravity — and self-preservation!

Spider monkeys are found across Central and South America. Costa Rica is home to the ornate spider monkey, one of seven species in the Americas. They live in large social groups that come together at night for safety before spreading out across the forest each morning to look for food.

I spotted the monkeys one night as they gathered behind the Arenal Observatory & Lodge in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. It was nearly full dark, but I took pics in the last of the failing light. 

An adult spider monkey leaps from tree to tree in an amazing display of courage and skill. I can imagine that the difficulty level increases exponentially when branches are wet and slippery from rain. 

Spider monkeys have a powerful prehensile tail that serves as a fifth appendage in the treetops. The tail works like an anchor when they rock the branches to get the momentum they need to make a terrifying leap into the abyss. Their tail is so strong that it can support the monkey's entire weight.

They use their arms to swing from branches like gibbons when they're not leaping like a rabid flying squirrel. They cover vast distances each day to look for fresh fruit, leaves and flowers. And they're smart. They are known to use tools and have a rich system of vocalizations. 

But they're best known for their fantastic aerial leaps seven stories high! Wow!

The baby was a confident climber in the treetops, but when it came time to make the leap to the next tree, she hesitated. She rocked back and forth on the branch to get momentum for the terrifying jump, but she understood the physics were not in her favor. Instead, she cried out to her mom. 

After a helping hand, the baby was able to clamber over to join the troop for the night. What an amazing encounter!