Squirrel monkey: life and habitat of an amazing primate

The squirrel monkey, or saimiri, is a small primate that lives in the tropical forests of South America. This shaggy beast has long attracted increased attention of biologists. After all, not only does it have a very interesting intraspecific hierarchy, so also the aborigines attributed to it some kind of mystical power. But let's talk about everything in order.

Habitat

The squirrel monkey chose as its home the cool tropical forests of South America. It can be found both on the expanses of Costa Rica, and near the coffee plantations in Brazil. However, already at the border with Paraguay, their numbers are beginning to decline. This is due to the fact that below is a new climate belt, which fell not to the liking of samiriri.

As for personal preferences, a squirrel monkey from South America prefers to settle near large ponds. After all, in such a place, it can easily provide itself with both drinking water and an uninterrupted source of food. Only the mountainous terrain this animal bypasses. In fact, this is not surprising, because in these conditions it is difficult to hide from numerous predators.

Appearance

A squirrel monkey from a hot America has a very specific appearance. To begin with, this is a very small primacy - the length of its body rarely exceeds 30-35 cm. At the same time, the weight of samirir varies from 1-1.3 kg. Thanks to such compact dimensions, a monkey can easily jump from tree to tree, clinging to thin branches.

This primacy has a very short coat, which is easily explained by the warm climate. At the same time, there is practically no hair on the muzzle. As for fur, its color may vary slightly depending on the habitat of monkeys. However, the dominant will always be gray and yellow shades. Only small areas near the face of saimiris are painted white, which immediately catches the eye, against the backdrop of her black nose and lips.

Habits and behaviors

Like most primates, a squirrel monkey is omnivorous. The basis of its diet is made up of fruits and insects. In order to get them in the right amount, small saimiris often have to go down to the ground. And since they have many natural enemies, they came up with a special system of protection against them. Going to the hunt, the monkeys place the sentries - it is worth the enemy to appear in their field of vision, as they immediately notify their relatives about the approaching threat.

Curiously, how playful can be a squirrel monkey. Photos made by tourists and scientists, often contain shots of how the saimiri sports with some toy. At the same time, it can be an ordinary wand, as well as any trinkets that have been stolen from a disillusioned traveler.

Hierarchy inside the pack

The Simirs are accustomed to living in large schools. In this case, the thicker the forest in which they live, the denser their community. So, even the smallest groups of squirrel monkeys number about 50-70 individuals. However, in the impassable tropics of Brazil there are flocks, whose number is measured by 3-4 hundreds.

Often at the head of such a community there is one α-male, who manages all. But it also happens that a few men-primates can lead a pack. It is they who have the legal right to choose females with which they can mate. The rest will have to try hard to get a partner.

It should also be noted that sometimes flocks can split into smaller groups. This is due to a conflict between the leaders or if a part of the tribe wants to move to another territory. However, science knows examples when, after some time, the split community once again became whole.

Reproduction and mating period

Female squirrel monkeys reach puberty in the 3rd year of their lives, and males - only on the 4th or 5th. At the same time, ladies are much inferior to their knights in both growth and weight. Especially before the beginning of the marriage games, because in this period males heavily add weight. The courtship itself continues for several weeks, after which the monkeys form strong alliances.

Pregnancy lasts 5-6 months. In this case, the female often gives birth to only one baby. At first, it is fed with one milk, but within a month the baby is able to eat on its own and eat the food habitual for primates. Curiously, the squirrel monkeys have a kind of kindergarten. So, while adults get food, all the kids are followed by unused members of their pack.

Squirrel monkey: great and terrible

"Dead head" - this is how the aboriginals nicknamed this nice little monkey. It happened because the black eyes of the saimiris look very ominous against the background of her light muzzle. Looking at it, the locals saw a demon that could bring misfortune. Therefore, she was feared and revered, which was only for the benefit of a petty prankster.

Naturally, over the years, the mystic glory of the saimiri was dispelled. Now she is perceived as an ordinary inhabitant of the jungle, who likes to play a trick on casual passers-by. And yet a formidable nickname still remains.