Facts About the Squirrel Monkey

Classification

Order: Primates
Family: Cebidae
Genus: Saimiri
Species: Sciureus


Description

The actual name given to this animal was determined because the full grown size of a Squirrel Monkey is about the same size as a squirrel (2). The average squirrel monkey is usually from 10 to 14 inches (without the tail), with the tail it would be about 24-31 inches, weighing about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Females are generally smaller than males. Their fur has a range of colors from browns, whites, greys, blacks, and golds, being very detailed in some places around their faces. It is very short and thick. Their thighs are set up high and they have very muscular legs because they have adapted to jumping from tree to tree in forests. Also, their tails are very muscular because, to them, it is a fifth way to grip onto a branch or vine (1). From head to toe, the head is mainly darker grey or black; the chest and back are a tan, beige, or mixed with multiple colors; and the underbelly, arms, and legs are a golden-yellow color. There is not much detail in a squirrel monkey's eyes because they are a straight jet-black.

Habitat

Squirrel monkeys are mainly found in Northern South America in tropical forests (2). Other areas where they have been known to reside are "East of the Andes from Columbia and northern Peru to northeastern Brazil" (1). They like to live near rivers and in or around forests because of the dense population of trees for them to reside (1).

Diet

Squirrel Monkeys usually eat insects, small birds, spiders, birds eggs, nuts, fruits, vegetables, berries, frogs, and other small animals. They are not easily hunted since they reside high up in the tree tops (1, 2).