Squirrel Monkey

South America · tiny primates · super social

Tiny and talkative. Squirrel monkeys are one of the smallest primates, weighing only about 750 grams (1.6 pounds). They make many different sounds to communicate with their group, like chirps and squeaks.

Big brains for their size. Even though squirrel monkeys are tiny, they have unusually large brains compared to their body size. This helps them solve problems and remember where to find food in the rainforest.

From South America. Squirrel monkeys live in the tropical rainforests of South America, especially in places like Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. They spend most of their time swinging and playing high up in the trees.

Super social animals. These monkeys live in groups of 10 to 100 individuals and work together to find food and watch out for danger. They are always interacting with their troop through play and grooming.

Named from an ancient language. The scientific name Saimiri comes from the Tupi language, which was spoken by indigenous people in South America long ago. Early researchers borrowed this name from local people who knew these monkeys well.