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Monkey (Squirrel)

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Saimiri sciureus

Range

Squirrel monkeys live in rainforests from Costa Rica to Panama and down through central South America.

Habitat

They spend their time high up in rain forest trees, only rarely coming down to the forest floor for food. They are often found near farms and wet areas, like rivers and streams.

Body Traits

Squirrel monkeys can be up to 30 inches long including their tail, but usually average about 18 inches in length and rarely weigh more than 3 pounds. Males are larger than females. Squirrel monkeys have little white faces with black heads and a black nose and mouth (muzzle). Their fur can be from orange to green in color.

Habits

They are active during the day (diurnal). They often live in groups of 30 or 40, mostly females with some males. Sometimes groups can number up to 100.

Diet

They eat mostly insects, but also ripe fruit.

Predators

Predators include snakes, falcons and wild cats.

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Reproduction

Some, but not all the females in the group have a baby each year, delivering at about the same time. They are pregnant for 5.5 months (gestation). All the females help the mothers. Males do not help raise the young.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They can live for 20 years in the wild.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorrhini
Family: Cebidae
Subfamily: Saimiriinae
Genus: Saimiri
Species: Saimiri sciureus

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