When our visitors get to know the representatives of the Primates Department, they watch the antics of the chimpanzee group for a long time, marvel at the extravagant and impressive appearance of the mandrills, and admire the miniature marmosets. But have you paid attention to a small fragile monkey – squirrel monkey?

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), like marmosets, belong to the primates of the New World and live in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are called squirrel monkeys for their orange fur, like a real squirrel has, and their arboreal lifestyle. Also, these animals are called "monkey - dead head" because of the bright pattern on the face, which resembles the image of a skull.

Unlike other New World monkeys, the squirrel monkey’s tail is not used for climbing, but as a kind of "balancing pole". These monkeys live together in groups of several males and females, the group can number several hundred individuals. These large groups, however, can sometimes break into smaller ones. Groups have a number of vocal calls, including warning sounds, to protect themselves from predators.

Squirrel monkey is an omnivorous monkey. They feed on insects, fruits and nuts, and can also eat eggs, small birds, molluscs, and small frogs. Squirrel monkeys living in Mykolaiv Zoo also eat a variety of food: vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat, as well as live food.

It is possible to observe squirrel monkeys in Mykolaiv Zoo throughout the year. In the warm period, the monkeys occupy summer enclosures in the fresh air, where they can sunbathe (as in our photos). In winter or in cool rainy weather, like today, the monkeys can be seen in warm winter enclosures, equipped with various swings, ladders, as well as infrared lamps, under which the animals are happy to warm themselves. The lack of sunlight, which is necessary for animals to produce vitamin D, is compensated by ultraviolet lamps that are regularly turned on by the zoo staff...

And what other animals of our zoo would you like to learn about?