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Common Squirrel Monkey
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia;
Phylum:	Chordata;
Class:	Mammalia;
Order:	Primates;
Family:	Cebidae;
Genus:	Saimiri;
Species:	S. sciureus;
Binomial name
	Saimiri sciureus; (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus) is a small New World primate from the Cebidae (squirrel monkey) family, and native to the tropical areas of South America.

[edit] Location

The Common Squirrel Monkey can be found primarily in the Amazon Basin, including territories 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. A group of free-ranging individuals was recently spotted and photographed at the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro - possibly the result of an illegal release or of an escape from the pet trade^[3].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.

[edit] Biology and Behavior

[edit] Food

The Common Squirrel Monkey is considered both frugivorous and insectivorous, preferring berry-like fruit on branches. It also looks for insects, and small vertebrates, such as tree frogs. It obtains 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.

[edit] 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.

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.

[edit] Habits

The Common Squirrel Monkey is diurnal. It is usually quiet but will utter loud cries when alarmed. It is arboreal but sometimes it 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.

[edit] Status

The Common Squirrel Monkey is rated as "least concern" by IUCN from a conservation perspective.^[2] However, the Common Squirrel Monkey is among many rainforest animals whose status may be harmed by deforestation. The species has also been captured extensively for the pet trade and for medical research.

[edit] Subspecies

There are four subspecies of Saimiri sciureus:

The Common Squirrel Monkey S. sciureus is used as a pet and in medical research.^[4]

[edit] Gallery

At the Phoenix Zoo.

In the walkthrough area of the Woburn Safari Park.

[edit] References

Wikispecies has information related to: Common Squirrel Monkey

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Common Squirrel Monkey

^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M.. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 139. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
^ ^a ^b Boubli, J.-P., Rylands, A. B., de la Torre, S. & Stevenson, P. (2008). Saimiri sciureus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 2 January 2009.
^ O Globo, 4th May 2009, Ancelmo Gois column
^ Rhines, C. 2000. "Saimiri sciureus", Animal Diversity Web.

[msw3-0] Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M.. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 139. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.

[iucn-1] Boubli, J.-P., Rylands, A. B., de la Torre, S. & Stevenson, P. (2008). Saimiri sciureus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 2 January 2009.

[2] O Globo, 4th May 2009, Ancelmo Gois column

[3] Rhines, C. 2000. "Saimiri sciureus", Animal Diversity Web.

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