Squirrel Monkey
Scientific name: Saimiri sciureus
Habitat: tropical rainforests, mangrove forests
Diet: insects, fruits; also leaves, flowers and seeds, frogs, bird eggs
Life span: 20 years
Young: 1 young/litter
Size: males 0.4–1.3 kg (1-3 lbs); females slightly smaller
Squirrel monkeys are excellent climbers and leapers. They spend most of their time in the canopy, but occasionally forage on the forest floor. Their tail is used primarily for balance. It is not prehensile (grasping).
Squirrel monkeys live in troops with complex social relationships. The babies are cared for by the mother, with help from other females in the troop. Squirrel monkeys are often used in medical research because they have the largest brain in relation to body size of any primate.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
Squirrel monkey on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
| attractions@edmonton.ca |
Range
Range: tropical rainforests of South America
Status in the Wild
Status: threatened
