common squirrel monkey

The common squirrel monkey, scientifically known as Saimiri sciureus, is the most abundant primate found in the riverside forests of the Guianas and the Amazon River basin. These monkeys are characterized by a distinctive circle of black, hairless skin around their nose and mouth, set against a white face. Their fur is typically gray to olive green with whitish undersides, and their hands, arms, and feet are yellow to orange.1

Squirrel monkeys are known for their agility, preferring life in the trees and communicating with a wide range of vocalizations. They form larger social groups than most other New World monkeys, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. They are diurnal, active during the day, and forage for a varied diet including fruits, leaves, insects, and small vertebrates. Females give birth to a single offspring, which rides on their back for the first few weeks of life.1