Squirrel Monkey

Saimiri sciureus, S. oerstedii, S. boliviensis, S. vanzolini

"Worst Choice" Pet Worst Choice

Squirrel Monkeys are small primates native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America. Four similar-looking species are recognized. In the wild they live in large social groups of up to 200 individuals and spend most of their time foraging in the trees for fruits, seeds, and insects. They typically live for 15 to 20 years.

Squirrel Monkeys are difficult to breed in captivity, so wild individuals are commonly trapped and imported to the U.S. for medical research purposes.

Did You Know?

Squirrel Monkeys are highly social and normally live in large groups of 20 to 200 individuals.

Source Sustainability Worst Choice

Does the harvest for wildlife trade or captive breeding of this species harm wild populations?

Significant Cause for Concern

Common Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) are not currently endangered, but they are experiencing habitat loss as the rainforest is developed and converted to agricultural uses. Other species of Squirrel Monkey (S. oerstedtii, S. boliviensis, and S. vanzolini) are threatened and/or critically endangered in the wild.

It is illegal to bring Squirrel Monkeys into the U.S. as pets, but many wild individuals are legally trapped and imported every year for medical research. Some of these may end up in the illegal pet trade.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Squirrel Monkey as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Invasion Threat Worst Choice

Does the release or escape of this species into the wild harm the environment and/or economy?

Significant Cause for Concern

Squirrel Monkeys are behaviorally adaptable and able to eat a wide variety of food, so animals that escape or are released can sometimes survive in the wild. At least two self-sustaining, free-ranging populations have already become established in Florida; one of these has persisted and reproduced in the wild for more than 50 years. Some of these monkeys have become habituated to hand-feeding by humans, thus increasing the risk of injuries and disease transmission for both species.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Squirrel Monkey as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Animal Welfare Worst Choice

Does harvest, captive breeding, transport, or being kept as a pet harm individual animals?

Significant Cause for Concern

Squirrel Monkeys are highly social and normally live in large groups of 20–200 individuals. They cannot be humanely kept as solitary pets. They also require specialized care and conditions to be healthy and happy in captivity. For instance, they require warm temperatures and high humidity to prevent respiratory infections. To simulate their tree-living habits, they need tall cages (above human eye level) with many perches to climb and rest on, and “hide boxes” to escape threatening situations. Squirrel Monkeys also require a great deal of attention as well as activities to keep them mentally stimulated or they can become depressed and develop self-destructive behaviors such as self-biting and hair-plucking.

Because of the specialized care that non-human primates (including Squirrel Monkeys) require, many experts agree that these animals should not be kept as pets.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Squirrel Monkey as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Health Threat Worst Choice

Does this animal pose a health risk to native wildlife, humans, livestock and agriculture?

Significant Cause for Concern

Like other primate species, Squirrel Monkeys are carriers of numerous parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These include tuberculosis, influenza A, tapeworms, tularemia, filariasis, and malaria. Some parasites can be carried by monkeys for up to 10 years without any visible symptoms.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the Squirrel Monkey as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

EcoHealth Alliance works at the intersection of ecosystem, animal and human health through local conservation programs and develops global health solutions to emerging diseases.
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