Weight: 1.5 to 2.5 pounds
Head & Body: 10.5 to 14"
Tail: 14 to 16.5", non-prehensile
Lifespan: 15 to 25 years in captivity
Squirrel Monkeys are slender bodied and their face is covered with white hairs with a dark or black muzzle. Their general body color varies from yellow-ish gray to reddish, with yellow forearms and legs, and a dark head and tail tip.
Gestation is 165 days and they usually have one baby. At six weeks of age, they begin to eat solid foods, but will continue to nurse until they are about six months of age. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 1/2 to 3 years and at that time they leave their family group in search of another. Males are sexually mature at 3 to 5 years of age and will either stay in their family group or relocate. They are seasonal breeders and the usual breeding season lasts for about 2 months.
Squirrel monkeys communicate through a wide variety of high pitched squeaks and whistles and they often snuggle. Visual communication is important and they pay close attention to others actions and facial expressions.
Squirrels ive in groups of individuals numbering from 10 to 300, depending on how disturbed their habitat is by humans. They live in peaceful colonies and the females are the center of the group. They are very social, but little grooming is seen except for mothers and infants. They cuddle with each other during rest and sleep.
They are easily effected by stress, so they should be provided a place where they may get away from other cage mates and noise. Narrow perches and shelves should be avoided so they will not get sores on the top sides of their tails at the base. The sores are a result of them sitting with their tail wrapped underneath them and the friction that results from supporting their body weight. Using wire shelves may help, but providing a stimulating environment will stop them from just sitting and being idle. Hammocks can be made from hand towels hung from the top of the cage by plastic chain and can be easily taken out and thrown in the washing machine.
As with all monkeys, squirrels need a varied and healthy diet. A breakdown of their diet structure is: 70% commercial new world monkey diet, 20% fresh fruit and vegetables, 5% high protein treats, and 5% insects.
The resource for this document is THE PRIMATE CARE HANDBOOK and can be ordered from the publisher, the Simian Society of America.
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