Range:

Brazil, Guyana, French Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Columbia

Habitat:

The middle canopy of primary and secondary moist forest, riverine forest, mangrove swamps

Characteristics:

Common squirrel monkeys have a pink face with black around the mouth and nose, a gray to black head, arches over the eyes, and white hairy ear tufts. The back is gray to olive, the underparts are light yellow, and the forearms, hand, and feet are yellow orange.Active during the day, squirrel monkeys are noisy and constantly on the move through the tree-tops in search of food. They spend less than 1% of their time on the ground. They live in large groups, typically containing 30-40 individuals, with up to a dozen reproductive females and several adult males. Females provide all parental care, with other young females helping to take care of young after about 2 weeks. Vocalizations range from twittering and purring to cawing and shrieking.

 

Behavior:

Active during the day, squirrel monkeys are noisy and constantly on the move through the tree-tops in search of food. They spend less than 1% of their time on the ground. They live in large groups, typically containing 30-40 individuals, with up to a dozen reproductive females and several adult males. Females provide all parental care, with other young females helping to take care of young after about 2 weeks. Vocalizations range from twittering and purring to cawing and shrieking.

Reproduction:

During the breeding season, males may have spectacular fights that leave the loser injured or weakened. A female often mates with several males during her brief period of receptivity. Gestation is 152-168 days with one young usually born.