Meet Dickerson Park Zoo's newest primate — Prim the spider monkey

Dickerson Park Zoo recently welcomed a new member to the spider monkey group.

Prim is seven years old and recently joined mother-daughter Pam and Goldie at the zoo in the South America area.

Prim was born at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida, according to Dickerson Park Zoo.

“Prim is very active and playful,” said Tracy Campbell, head zookeeper. “He is also very smart and eager to work on training with his keepers. I’m sure he is going to enjoy engaging with the public.”

Learn a little about spider monkeys 

Spider monkeys are New World monkeys native to Central and South America. According to National Geographic, their long arms and gripping tails enable them to move from branch to branch. They spend most of their time in trees and can maintain a grip on branches, despite not having thumbs.

Spider monkeys find food in the trees, including nuts, fruits, leaves, bird eggs and spiders, per National Geographic. They can be noisy animals and communicate with calls, screeches, barks and other sounds.

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.