Virtual Non-Human Primate Zoo

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

  Order: Primates

    Suborder: Haplorrhini

      Infraorder: Simiiformes

        Parvorder: Platyrrhini

          Superfamily:  Ateloidea

            Family:  Cebidae

              Subfamily:  Saimiriinae

                Genus:  Saimiri

                  Species:  sciureus

 

COMMON NAME:  Common Squirrel Monkey

 

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION:  South America

 

HABITAT:  Tropical Lowland Rainforest

 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

• white masks of fur around their eyes

• dark brown or black coloration around the mouth and chin

• short grey­ish coat

• bright yel­low legs

 

DIET:  Insectivores-Frugivores

• Animal food:  insects and terrestrial non-insect arthropods

• Plant Foods:  leaves, seeds, grains, nuts, & fruit

 

LOCOMOTION TYPE:  Quadrupedal

 

SOCIAL GROUP ORGANIZATION:  

• multi-male/multi-female groups may be made up of as many as 300 individuals

 

PARENTAL CARE:

• Mother is the primary caregiver or other females in the group could bond with the infants of other female and become aunts.

• Father has no part in raising the young.

 

COMMUNICATION:

• Tactile: uses touch to communicate

• Chemical: uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

During the two months prior to the breeding season the males gain up to 20% of their body weight because the larger they appear, the more attractive they are to the females.

 

ENDANGERMENT STATUS:  Least Concern

 

To learn more about Saimiri sciureus, visit the following websites:

1. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41537/0

2. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Saimiri_sciureus/

3. http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/squirrel_monkey

 

Information and photographs compiled by A. Bravo and A. Magdaleno.