Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Scientific Name: Saimiri sciureus

Range: East of the Andes from Colombia and northern Peru to north- eastern Brazil

Habitat: Primary and secondary forests, cultivated areas, usually along streams

Diet: Wild: Fruits, berries, nuts, flowers, buds, seeds, leaves gum, insects, arachnids and small invertebrates Zoo: New World monkey chow, apples, banana, yams, lettuce, grapes, oranges, endive and mealworms

Gestation: 152-172 days

Litter: 1

Description: Head and body length 10.4-14.4 in.; tail length 14-17 in.; weight 2.5-3.7 lb. The tail is not prehensile.These diurnal monkeys are arboreal and only occasionally descend to the ground. Movement is quadrupedal with relatively little leaping. Ranges are often ill-defined and troops may number into the 40-50 range. During the mating season males establish a dominance hierarchy through fierce fighting with the higher-ranking individuals then interacting with the females. The females establish a dominance hierarchy during pregnancy. After the birth of the young, females exclude the males. The newborn cling to their mothers back for the first few weeks of life. Independence is achieved at 1 year.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the New World Monkey Exhibits at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.