Squirrel Monkey

Range

Squirrel Monkeys are found in parts of Central and South America. They inhabit the countries of Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.

Facts

Squirrel monkeys have been observed interacting with Cebus monkeys. These interactions are peaceful and the squirrel monkeys benefit from the predator alarm calls the Cebus monkeys make. They also use the Cebus monkey’s knowledge of areas to help them find new food sources.

Squirrel monkeys have the largest brain to body mass ratio of all primates. It is twice the proportion of a human.

Squirrel monkeys live in large groups of 40-50 individuals, but these groups can reach up to 500 individuals! These troops usually contain sub-groups of adult males, pregnant females, females with their young, and groups of young Squirrel Monkeys. They sleep together at night, but will break up into these sub-groups during the day to forage.