Brevard Zoo welcomes newest member of its spider monkey troop

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo’s troop of black-handed spider monkeys has grown.

On April 15, a baby spider monkey was born to 31-year-old mother, Shelley and father, 25-year-old Shooter.

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The sex of the baby is not yet known.

Brevard Zoo staff said the infant is doing well, holding on to its mom and nursing successfully.

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Brevard Zoo Spider-Monkey

Shelley is also the mother of three current troop members: 19-year-old Tica, seven-year-old Prim and two-year-old Olive.

Tica is expecting her own baby in the near future.

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“Shelley is a pro at caring for her offspring,” said Lauren Hinson, the zoo’s director of animal programs.

Zoo staff have said they have observed other members of Shelley’s troop occasionally checking on both Shelley and baby.

Both Shelley and her newborn are on habitat in Rainforest Revealed. Guests may be able to spot them in one of the zoo’s connected spider monkey habitats.

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Native to Central and South America, black-handed spider monkeys are classified as vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss as well as the illegal pet trade.

Brevard Zoo is home to more than 900 animals representing 195 species from all over the world.

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