There are many things to do and see at Xcaret Eco Park, but one of the kid favorites is Monkey Island.   Home to Spider monkeys and Howling monkeys, there is always action on Monkey Island!

The Spider monkey is named that because of its disproportionately long limbs.   With extra long arms and legs, these monkeys can swing easily from branch to branch and they certainly do!  Constantly moving and playing the Spider monkey is a very active and playful monkey.   At Xcaret Eco Park, you can learn all about these unique creatures and their habits.  Did you know that the Spider monkey barks like a small dog when it sees a human?

The Spider monkeys at Xcaret Eco Park are there because they needed a home.   Although the Spider monkey is native to the Yucatan peninsula, most of its natural habitat has been destroyed for farming and are now endangered.   Xcaret Eco Park provides a very necessary service and home for these precious animals.

Many Howling monkeys also call Xcaret Eco Park home.  In Feb. 2003, twenty Howling monkeys were moved to Xcaret Eco Park.   Eleven were rescued from diminishing habitats and the other nine were donated as babies from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Environment.   But now there are twenty-two Howling monkeys because two brand new babies have been born and that makes for a lot of noise at Xcaret Park!  Did you know that the scream of a female Howling monkey can be heard for five and a half miles?

Xcaret Eco Park is always finding new and better ways to make things better for the animals that call the Yucatan peninsula home and Monkey Island is just one of them.   The staff at Xcaret Park always welcomes people to come and learn about these amazing animals!