SQUIRREL MONKEYS--BASIC INFORMATION AND DIET
>
>Saimiri sciureus, Saimiri sp.
>
>The species is diurinal.
>Average head and body length of an adult is 25-37 cm (male); 23-29 cm
>(female)
>Average weight of an adult is 0.5 kg.
>Their locomotory pattern is quadrupedal walking and leaping.
>Adults in the wild frequently make jumps of approx 1 meter.
>Social structure is non-monogamous and non-solitary.
>Less than 5% of the studied populations are solitary males.
>Group size varies around 23-54 individuals.
>Number of adult males within one groups is >1.
>Males transfer between groups.
>Individuals transfer between groups or are sexually mature, from 2.5-4
>years of age.
>Intergroup encounters are tolerant.
>The species lives in dense habitat.
>The species is arboreal
>They usually sleep on a branch and do not build a nest.
>Their food consists of fruits, leaves, insects, small animals.
>The species is a seasonal breeder.
>
>(from: Griede, T. Guidelines for adequate housing and care of non-human
>primates in zoos. Natl Fndation for Research in Zoological Gardens, POB
>20164, 1000 HD Amsterdam, 1989)
>
>DIET
>
>For 1 animal. Fruits and veggies should be cut into pieces appropriate
>for the monkey's small hands. New World Monkey Chow can be soaked in
>Marmoset jelly or fruit juice. Moist foods can be sprinkled with a
>vitamin mineral powder such as Vionate. (approx 1/4 tsp per animal per
>day). Food should be offered at set times of the day.
>
>A.M.
>1 oz canned primate diet (cut in small pieces) Zupreem, Science Diet
>4 pieces of soaked New World Monkey Biscuit (Mazuri, Spectrum, Purina,
>etc.)
>
>P.M.
>
>M-W-F
>
>1/8 apple
>2 slices of banana 1/2'd
>2 grapes 1/2'd
>1 TBS diced orange
>1/2 slice sweet potato (chopped)
>1 1/2 TBS lettuce mix* (Romaine, cabbage & celery)
>4 primate biscuits (soaked in orange juice/m.jelly)
>8 peanuts
>1 TBS sunflower seeds
>1" piece of carrot - chopped
>1/8 slice of whole wheat bread cubed
>4 snow peas
>
>Tu-Th-Sa-Su
>
>2 slices of banana 1/2'd
>1 TBS diced orange
>4 green beans cut
>1/~ hard boiled egg with shell (cut up)
>1 TBS corn (thawed frozen or fresh)
>5 peanuts
>1 TBS sunflower seeds
>1 heaping TBS avocado
>few sprigs of parsely
>1 heaping TBS black-eyed peas (shelled)
>1/2 slice turnip
>1 oz canned primate diet (cut in small pieces)
>4 primate biscuits (soaked in fruit juice or M.jelly)
>1/4 slice whole wheat bread cubed
>
>
>occasional cricket (cricket should be dusted in vionate) as a treat.
>
>* Lettuce mix ingredients are placed in a chopper and mixed. Use long
>and thin pieces.
>
>Other treats occassionally: soaked raisins, other types of fruit -
>portion of treat/day should be less than 1 teaspoon in volume!