About Squirrel Monkeys

Squirrel monkeys are members of the same family as marmosets, tamarins and capuchins. The small primates belong to the genus Saimiri, which consists of five species of squirrel monkey, all closely related. All five species have the same kinds of behavior and only vary slightly in appearance and home range.

  1. Description

    • Squirrel monkeys grow to between 10 and 14 inches in length, with tails that grow to between 14 and 17 inches. They are slightly built animals, weighing between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbs. Male monkeys are slightly larger than females, on average. The most common coloration for the monkeys is yellowish gray on the back and arms with a pale face and underside and hints of red on the arms and legs. Its head is egg-shaped, with delicate features.

    Habitat and Range

    • Squirrel monkeys live in Central America and northern areas of South America. In Central America, the animals are most common in Panama and Costa Rica. In South America, they range from the Andes around Columbia eastward into northern Brazil. The monkeys live mainly in tropical forests throughout their range, spending most of the time in trees. They are most commonly found at the fringes of forests near flowing water such as in streams or rivers. They sometimes come down to the shrub layer or ground level to scavenge for food.

    Diet and Predators

    • Like most primates, squirrel monkeys are omnivores and eat a wide range of foods. Insects, small birds, mammals, fruit, nuts and eggs are all common foods in their diets. Most species tend to eat more vegetation than animal protein and search for food in groups. The small size of squirrel monkeys make them vulnerable to a range of predators including hawks, snakes and cats such as cougars and jaguars. The animals rely on strength in numbers to try and ward off most predators.

    Life Cycle

    • All squirrel monkeys live in mixed-sex groups of 12 to 100 individuals. During the breeding season males become aggressive and competitive for females and will often fight. Mating season varies by species and range, but breeding only takes place once a year. Pregnancies typically last around 140 to 170 days with a single live offspring being produced. The babies can become independent after about a year and are sexually mature at between 2 and 3 years old. The average lifespan in the wild is 15 years, but captive animals can live up to 30 years.