Common squirrel monkey

Animals in South America

Common squirrel monkey 

It is the Amazon forests that are home to this small diurnal monkey, which lives in groups of 10-50 individuals. Squirrel monkeys do spent almost all their lifetime in the tree tops, 30 meters above the ground. It uses its long tail to keep the balance, when it climbs on the thinnest limbs.

You will often see the common squirrel monkey accompanied by capuchin monkeys. These two different species can actually communicate and warn each other, when a predator is intruding into their territory.

Common squirrel monkeys are social animals. They communicate with each other by making a lot of different squeaking noises. Each sound means something else, but is just one monkey screaming alarm the whole flock will flee.      

The rainforest areas where the common squirrel monkey naturally lives are disappearing at an alarming rate in favor of farming. Furthermore, several species of squirrel monkeys are getting captured and exported as experimental and pet animals to the United States and Europe. This species is demanding and difficult to keep in captivity. 

In the Ree Park Safari, you can meet squirrel monkeys on their very own island. They can move freely between the enclosure and their own island. You are very welcome on the monkey islands. Keep your eyes and ears open and enjoy the sight of the curious monkeys, jumping around in the tree tops.