Bolivian Squirrel Monkey

Animal Facts

  • Genus:

    Saimiri

  • Species:

    Simia sciureus

  • Conservation
    Status:

    Least Concern

  • Found In:

    South America

  • Length:

    Body 25-35cm, Tail 35-42cm

  • Weight:

    750g-1.1kg

Meet our clever monkeys!

Chica, our resident female, was born on 1 January 2003 at Gorge Wildlife Park arriving at Adelaide Zoo in 2004. Chica is extremely friendly and will often come over to the mesh to talk (squeak) at zoo keepers and even the odd visitors. Insect are by far her favourite treat and you’ll definitely gain a special place in her heart if you present her with these creepy, crawly delicacies.

In addition to the lovely Chica, Adelaide Zoo is one of the first zoo’s in the region to house a bachelor group of four Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys.

The Bolivian Squirrel Monkey is a diurnal monkey that lives in the tropical forests of Central and South America, living in groups of 40–50 animals but these groups have been known to reach 200 or more.

Females tend to look after each other’s offspring with an infant spending 30% of its time in the care of another mother. Proportionally, the Squirrel Bolivian Monkey has the largest brain of all primates with a brain mass to body mass ratio of 1:17.

The Bolivian Squirrel Monkey, like many rainforest animals, is primarily threatened by deforestation, and the species tends to be captured extensively for the pet trade and for medical research.

Love Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys? Join our troop and ensure Squirrel Monkeys stay a leap ahead of extinction! There are many ways you can help support these adorable animals!

Get Involved

Adopt Donate Membership

 

get involved

Keeper Hayley made this incredible Pygmy Blue-tongue cake for the #TSBakeoff, complete with the spider burrows thes… https://t.co/jTG6sWpSmS

Discover More

ZOOcation Care

Join the popular school holidays program for 5-12 year olds at Adelaide Zoo Tweet Share +1 Share

View More

Life Membership

Share a lifetime of memorable moments with unlimited visits to Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park. Tweet Share +1 Share

View More

Annual Membership

Unlimited visits to Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Safari Park and most Australian zoos. Tweet Share +1 Share

View More