Squirrel Monkey
Squirrel Monkey Facts
| Size | Up to 12.5 inch (32 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 21.7 mph (35 km/h) |
| Weight | Up to 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Food | Fruit, leaves, little animals |
| Predators | Birds of prey, snakes |
| Habitat | South America |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Cebidae |
| Scientific name | Saimiri |
| Characteristics | Face resembles a skull |
Main Characteristics
Squirrel monkeys are little primates living in large groups in the forests of South America. They are active during the day and spend most of their time in the trees. They run on all fours and use their tail to balance on branches. They are close relatives to the capuchin monkeys.
Anatomy and Appearance
Their Tail is Longer Than their Body
The body of a playful squirrel monkey is not larger than 12.5 inch (32 cm). With a length of up to 16 inch (41 cm), their tail is even longer than their body.
Behavior
Are Squirrel Monkeys Good Climbers?
Squirrel monkeys can't use their tails to grab onto things like branches as the chameleon can. Nevertheless, its tail is very useful for them, because it helps them balance on thin branches.
Are Squirrel Monkey Aggressive?
By the way: Squirrel monkeys are rather amicable. Many other animals indulge in fierce territorial fights, but squirrel monkeys prefer to keep out of harm’s way. This is rather clever, as there is enough space for all animals.
Squirrel Monkeys Use Scent Marks
Just imagine the following situation: You fixed a date to meet a friend at a certain place. But your friend did not turn up. Now you would like to leave him a message that you were there. If you were a squirrel monkey, you would pee on your hands and feet and then walk about on all fours at the meeting point, so that your friend could smell that you were there. Luckily, we have smartphones ...!
Reproduction
During the mating season, male squirrel monkeys fight against each other. Afterwards, the strongest male monkey can mate with most female animals. After the birth of a baby monkey, the male monkey loses most of its influence. From the first day onwards, the young monkey rides on the back of its mother. After about two months it starts to explore its environment on its own. After ten months, the young monkey no longer depends on its mother.
Fun Facts
Why Are They Called Squirrel Monkeys?
They are called squirrel monkeys because they are as agile and move as quickly as squirrels. In Germany they are named "Totenkopf-Äffchen" (skull monkeys), because their face resembles a skull. Take a closer look: Their eyes are black, the fur on their face is white, and their nose and mouth are gray. Can you see the skull in its face?
Squirrel Monkeys Are Patient
Scientists had some capuchin monkeys play a video game in 2020. The animals didn't always succeed, but even if they didn't get a reward, they kept playing. They were dying to win the game. This is fairly unusual in the animal kingdom, because trying something in vain takes a lot of time and effort. The scientists believe, that sometimes it is more important for the animals to be patient – for example when trying to find a partner or to finish building the nest.
The Squirrel Monkey Is Related To:
- Capuchin Monkeys
Animals in the Same Biome:
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Rainforest Animals
