COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY

Saimiri sciureus

  • Common name:
    COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY

    Scientific name:
    Saimiri sciureus

    Class:
    Mammals

    Order:
    Primates

    Family:
    Cebidae

    Provenance:
    Northern South America

    Diet:
    insects – eggs – fruit

    Habitat:
    Along the river banks

    Reproduction:
    160-170 days, 1 puppy for childbirth

  • The Common Squirrel Monkey is an American monkey. It lives in the rainforest and along river banks. It is arboreal and diurnal. It lives in large groups. It is a very vivacious species characterized by rapid and gracious movement.
    The total length of its body is 80cm of which 50cm are the tail.
    Meals include fruit, sprouts and they are even eager for insects and moths.
    Gestation is 160 days long. Usually one young is born and moves around attached to the mother’s belly. After about one month, the young leaves this position and is transported on the back.
    Unfortunately, these monkeys are widely hunted for their meat and to be used as laboratory animals.