ABSTRACT
Squirrel monkeys (genus Saimiri) are a group of Neotropical species used widely in behavioral and biomedical research areas. They are native to a small part of Central America and throughout most of the Amazonian basin in South America. There are several characteristics that make them easy to study, including their relatively small size and ease of handling, and there are no problems with virus transmission from the monkeys. Squirrel monkeys are used extensively in malaria vaccine development, neuroscience, and animal cognition model development, as well as labor and delivery mechanics. In this chapter, we provide information about the natural history of this genus and translate this into recommendations for housing and behavioral management. Their social organization, arboreality, and small size make the requirements for captivity different from Old World primates. However, by understanding their natural habitat and behavior, we can design housing that will encourage genus typical behavior and reduce the stress associated with captive housing.
