-live in forest close to river
-lives in groups of 10 to300
-females are the leaders of the group
-very social, but little grooming is seen except for mother to infant
-seldom come to the ground due to danger from predators
-active during daylight
Food and Feeding
-spends much of the day ranging through the forest for insects
-they prefer vegetation with many thin vines, like those found along river and lake banks
-eat some fruits that are growing in the trees
Breeding
-gestation is 165 days and they usually have only one baby
-newborn squirrel monkey weighs 3 � ounces
-females primarily care for infant
-at 6 weeks of age baby begins to eat solid foods, but will continue to nurse from mother until it is 6 months old
-females reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 � - 3 years, they leave their group in search of another one.
-males are sexually mature at the age of 3 to 5 years of age
-they will either stay in their family group or relocate
-they are seasonal breeders and the breeding season usually lasts for about 2 months
Interesting Facts
-their enemies are small cats, birds of prey, pythons, and man
-their defense is flight, when the alarm is given, the females and young become quiet while males investigate.
-considered the most vocal of the New World primates
-has 26 separate calls which are different combinations of a few basic sounds
-visual communication is important and they pay close attention to others facial expressions
