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!

Adelaide Zoo’s male Bolivian Squirrel Monkey, Cisco was born on 29 November 1992 at Taronga Zoo arriving at Adelaide Zoo in 1998. He’s a friendly chap who will happily sit on your shoulder in order to score some of this his favourite treats, mealworms! He’s known to squeal with delights when dinner is on its way. Now that he’s getting a bit older he tends to spend more time in his heated den on cold days.

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 Cisco and 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!

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About Zoos SA

Zoos SA is a not-for-profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction.

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Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road,
Adelaide SA 5000
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (08) 8267 3255