“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11
There are many species of monkeys in Central America and the northern parts of South America, and all have long, prehensile (grasping) tails. The Creator also gave them long legs and arms—all important to their way of life. They use their tails not only to grasp branches, but the tips of their tails have a remarkable sense of touch, enabling them to capture tasty insects or other creatures out of crevices or holes in trees. If a spider monkey is mortally wounded, it will curl its tail around a branch as it dies and remain suspended until it is removed or its body decays.
The long tails and sprawling legs of these monkeys make them appear awkward when on the ground, as they walk with the soles of their hands outward and the feet inward. But in trees they are skilled acrobats and move swiftly and gracefully about, using their long arms, legs and tails, and they can cover 30 feet in one flying leap.
The red-faced variety is only about a foot long from nose to tail; its tail adds another 2 feet. The name “red-faced” is not entirely accurate, for its head is actually a dark-copper color, showing some red in bright sunlight. The rest of it is mostly shiny black.
These residents of tropical rain forests in both Central and South America are much loved by most people. They will swing by their tails or lean against a tree for hours at a time. But if threatened, they scoot away so swiftly that nothing but a bird could keep up with them.
A hunter told of trying to shoot one of these in the top of a tall tree. It fell headlong for about 30 feet, at which point its tail wrapped around a limb, bringing it to an immediate stop. It hung there briefly and then took off, making its escape before the hunter got in another shot. Aren’t you glad it got away? So am I.
Another species, living along the Amazon River, is the variegated with quite similar habits to the others. Its black fur is somewhat longer and its tail more bushy. Those who have watched it report that it will sit for great lengths of time high in a tree, without moving; then suddenly it becomes active, swinging swiftly backwards and forwards in an upside down position, just like the pendulum of a big clock.
Another interesting variety will be considered in the next issue. Meanwhile, let us remember that these creatures are part of God’s creation in which He took delight, as our opening Bible verse tells us. Like God, we too may take delight in His creation.
(to be continued)
ML-06/24/2018