Common squirrel monkey
Saimiri sciureus
There is a high risk associated with keeping this species as a pet. This is not a suitable pet.
© Hugh M. Smith
Assessment results
High risk
Conservation | Moderate risk
This animal is likely to be threatened by extinction in the wild, and/or it is subject to international trade controls due to demand in the pet trade. Please check that the animal you want comes from a reputable seller or rescue center that follows best practices when they source their animals. Learn more about wildlife conservation and the pet trade.
Legality | High risk
This animal is likely to be threatened by extinction in the wild, and/or it is subject to international trade controls due to demand in the pet trade. Please check that the animal you want comes from a reputable seller or rescue center that follows best practices when they source their animals. Learn more about wildlife conservation and the pet trade.
Human and public health | High risk
It is likely that this animal is a threat to human or public health due to potential life-threatening zoonotic diseases and physical attributes that can harm humans.Learn more about animal-related illness and injuries.
Invasiveness | Low risk
This species would not likely impact native biodiversity or habitats. However, never release a pet into the wild for any reason.
Animal welfare | High risk
Care, diet, and housing needs of this species are extremely difficult to meet for its lifetime, and potential owners are unlikely to be able to provide a good quality of life. Learn more about the challenges with exotic pet welfare.
⚠️ Important considerations
- Common squirrel monkey populations are declining in the wild, targeted for the pet trade and scientific research.
- Check your local laws on lemur ownership. In most US states, primate ownership is illegal or restricted. It is also illegal to import any non-human primate to the US for pet trade.
- Squirrel monkeys, especially those that come from the wild, are known to carry zoonotic diseases that can be life threatening to humans. As they mature, squirrel monkeys can also become aggressive and bite or severely scratch their owners.
- To 'tame' primates as pets, babies are often taken from their mother when they are a few days old. They are very social animals that need to be reared by their mother and live among a large family group of primates of their own kind. They do very poorly in these conditions and are stressed by the isolated lifestyle in a person's home.
- Their housing, diet, and social needs are very hard to meet in captivity and are financially expensive and time consuming. They are not domesticated, hard to train, and have behaviors that would be undesirable in a household such as destructive tendencies and territory marking with urine. They need social companionship and face many nutritional issues due to improper diet in captivity. Large outdoor facilities are the best environment for squirrel monkeys in captivity, and they should not be handled once adults.
- As with all exotic mammals, when keeping a pet, ensure there is access to a veterinarian that specializes in their care and consult them about proper habitat setup, diet, and care. Find an exotic mammal vet near you.However, very few pet veterinarians are familiar with primate veterinary care.
Basic information
Taxonomy:
Primates, Cebidae
Lifespan:
15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in zoos
Weight:
1-3 lbs. (0.5- 1.5 kg)
Size:
12-13 in (30-33cm)
Native range and habitat:
Lowland forests of southern Central and South America
Diet:
Fruit, flowers, eggs, insects, and small lizards
Activity and behavior:
- Social animals that live in complex groups of 15-50 individuals
- Mark their territory by spreading urine
- Thought to be one of the most intelligent primate species
© WWF-Japan