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Squirrel Monkey
Saimiri sciureus
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Cebidae
GENUS: Saimiri
SPECIES: sciureus
Features:
The
average body mass for adult males range between 700 to 1100 grams,
and for females the range is between 500 to 750 grams.. The cheek
teeth have large cusps assists the common squirrel monkey in eating
insects. Males have longer canines than the female. The tail of the
common squirrel monkey is prehensile in infants but the adults lose
this ability.
Adult squirrel monkeys are not very big - they are about as big as a
squirrel -
10-14 inches (26-36 cm). Males are larger than females.
Their fur is short, thick, soft, and brightly colored. The skin on lips and
around nostrils is black with almost no hair. These monkeys are white around
the eyes, ears, throat, and on sides of neck.
The top of the head is black to grayish, back forearms, hands, and feet are
reddish or yellow with shoulders and hind feet mostly gray.
The thumb is short but well developed. Their under parts are whitish to yellowish,
and the tail is bi-colored with a black tip.
Location:
The
common squirrel monkey is found in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Paraguay and
Venezuela; a small population has been introduced to Southern
Florida. This species prefers rainforests, and can adapt to
different kinds of rainforests. The common squirrel monkey prefers
to live in the middle canopy, but will occasionally come to the
ground or go up into the high canopy. They like vegetation which provides good
cover from birds of prey like the rainforest, savannah, mangroves,
or marshlands.
Food:
The common squirrel monkey is considered both
frugivorous and
insectivorous, preferring berry-like fruit
on branches. They also look for mollusks, and small
vertebrates, such as tree frogs. They obtain a majority of water
from the foods eaten, and will also obtain water from holes in trees
and puddles on the ground. When fruit is scarce, the common squirrel
monkey will drink nectar. Squirrel monkeys have been known to eat insects, spiders, bird eggs, young birds,
flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, tree gum, sap and nuts. Zoo diet
is usually vegetables, fruit, and monkey chow.
Social:
The
young are cared for by other females as well as the mother, but not
by any males. Social interactions are centered around
a group of dominant females. The
common squirrel monkey gives birth to a single offspring. Infants
are able to climb from birth and the mother’s supporting role is
less than with other monkeys. Other females help raise the
baby.
Squirrel monkey groups are subdivided into adult male bands,
mother-infant bands, and juvenile bands. Adult females with their
young form the core of the group. Adult males intermingle with the
females only during the several months of mating season.
Movement:
The common squirrel monkey travels through the
forest
quadrupedally on the branches and leaps
when it moves in the lower stories of the forest.
This species uses quadrupedal positions when it feeds.
Squirrel monkeys move through the trees by leaping. They have thighs
that are shorter relative to their lower legs; this allows more
jumping force.
The
Squirrel Monkey has extremely dextrous fingers to clamber through
the trees as well as to investigate food and find hidden insects.
Although it has a short thumb, this is well developed. Its tail is
longer than its body, but this only helps it balance and is not
prehensile.
Territories:
The common squirrel monkey will spread
urine on the bottoms of the hands and feet. Other monkeys can
smell this as it marks the territory. In addition, they also distribute a musky glandular secretion throughout their fur
(especially on tail) as scent to mark territory or to leave a trail
for others of the troop to follow as they go through the trees. This
odor turns away hunters who might otherwise kill them for food
Communication:
Like other primates, squirrel monkeys have a wide range of calls and
body postures. Among their 26 calls are chirps and peeps to stay in
touch as they forage, squawks and purring during mating, and barking
in anger.
Habits:
Squirrel monkeys are diurnal. They are usually
quiet but will utter loud cries when alarmed. They are arboreal but
sometimes they will come down to the ground. Bands or troops can be
from 12-100. Occasionally troops as large as 500 have been
seen in undisturbed forests.
Status: Squirrel monkeys can live up to 20 years.
Although not yet endangered, the Common Squirrel Monkey is among
many rainforest animals threatened by deforestation. The species has
also been captured extensively for the pet trade and for medical
research.
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