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Squirrel Monkey Care Guide

Writer's picture: Shadow’s ReptilesShadow’s Reptiles

The care guides I put together are a big deal here at Shadow’s Reptiles. I’m always tweaking them to make sure my animals get the best care. I really value any feedback you give me, and in return for your corrections, questions, and comments, I promise to keep all the guides updated with the best tips I can provide, along with updated YouTube videos and the products I use for my animals.



Introduction

Squirrel monkeys (Scientific name: Saimiri sciureus) are small and vibrant primates native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. These agile monkeys are known for their strikingly expressive faces and lively social behavior. Adults typically grow to about 25 to 35 cm in length, with a 35 to 42 cm tail, and can weigh between 750 to 1100 grams. They have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years in captivity, often longer with excellent care. Squirrel monkeys are tree-dwelling (arboreal) and are primarily diurnal, active during the day. In this care guide, we’ll explore the details of providing a healthy and enriching environment for your squirrel monkey. Discover more about these fascinating animals and how to care for them check out our squirrel monkeys for sale and educational care videos.


Enclosure

Squirrel monkeys require spacious and secure enclosures to accommodate their active and arboreal lifestyle. A minimum enclosure size of 6 feet wide by 6 feet long by 6 feet high is recommended to allow adequate space for climbing and exploration. For substrate we use Cypress Mulch to mimic their natural habitat. The enclosure should maintain a basking spot temperature of around 85°F and a cooler side at about 75°F. UVB lighting is essential for their health, mimicking the sunlight they would receive in the wild. Include plenty of branches, ropes for climbing, toys and foliage for hiding. Non-toxic plants can enhance the enclosure's naturalistic feel.

Diet and Hydration

Squirrel monkeys thrive on a varied diet primarily consisting of fruits, insects, and other small animals. At Shadow's Reptiles, we feed our squirrel monkeys a balanced diet of commercially available primate biscuit diet with fresh fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas as treats. Hydration is provided through fresh water available at all times, and occasional fruit with high water content to aid hydration. They also require calcium and vitamin supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies if you don't provide a monkey diet for them. It's important to monitor their food intake as squirrel monkeys can exhibit food hoarding behaviors.



Handling

Handling squirrel monkeys requires patience and understanding of their behavior. These animals are highly social and intelligent, but they can become stressed if handled too frequently or improperly. It is vital to allow them to approach you on their terms and to use gentle, slow movements to avoid frightening them. Training and positive reinforcement can assist in handling efforts, making it a more enjoyable experience for both the monkey and the handler. However, too much handling can lead to stress and should be done with care and respect for the animal’s needs and signals. They should not be "disciplined" by hitting or screaming at them as that will affect them negatively in the long term.

Caring for Baby Squirrel Monkeys

When caring for a baby squirrel monkey between 1-6 months old, it's vital to provide baby formula while slowly transitioning to soft, mashed fruits and digestible insects as they grow into 4-6 months of age. Ensure their enclosure is safe, secure, and warm, maintaining temperatures around 80°F with soft bedding to protect their delicate skin. Baby squirrel monkeys need frequent social interaction for emotional and psychological development, ideally with other young monkeys or through gentle human handling if raised in captivity. Include soft toys for stimulation and gradually introduce interactive toys as they mature. Early training and handling should be gentle to help them associate human contact with safety and comfort, preparing them for a well-adjusted life.


For more detailed guidance and resources on raising baby squirrel monkeys, visit our website and YouTube channel.



These care guides that I write are used daily and followed as law here at Shadow’s reptiles.

 I am constantly working on improving them which in turn improves the quality of care for my animals and for my customers and their animals. I appreciate any and all feedback more than anything. In trade for your corrections, questions, and comments I promise to keep all care guides updated with the best possible care tips I can offer linked with updated YouTube videos and the products that I use for my animals.


If you wish to support us more directly take a look at our shop or become a member to unlock hidden blogs, YouTube videos, Giveaways and discounts. All the money we earn goes right back to caring for our animals and improving their futures, we appreciate all your support.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

I have always been passionate about animals and their care. As the founder of Shadow's Reptiles (An online pet store), I feel responsible to share my knowledge through my educational animal shows, blogs and videos. I have dedicated part of my life to educating others on the unique needs of reptiles and animals in general. I aggressively research all animals that are coming into my care and then I write care guides as proof to myself that I am knowledgeable enough to care for said animal. After years of using the care guides and polishing them with my own

experience and fine tuning them to be efficient and provide the best quality care to the animals as possible, I have made it public for you to use. I am constantly updating the guides and testing new methods, I follow these care guides every single day with hundred of animals that I love more than life itself. Unfortunately I can not do it alone, I will need your support!

 

Feedback is what I crave most, please correct me and help me improve my care guides. I take your feedback and combine it with my own knowledge and experience to give my animals the best life possible.

Moral Support is greatly appreciated! Knowing that my care guides benefit you or that my content entertains you gives me the drive to keep moving forward and posting more content for you to enjoy.

Financial Support is great, money of course is what makes the world go round...and keeps me and the animals fed. If you like what I do please consider buying something from my shop and if you LOVE what I do consider becoming a monthly subscriber. Think of it as buying me lunch once a month to show appreciation for my work but rest assured that your money won't be spent on McDonald's, every penny will go directly to the animals, their cages, food, medical expenses and everything else they will need.​

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