Adult females with their young form the core of the group. Adult males intermingle with the females only during the several months of mating season. Single young born after 6 months gestation. Mother is not particularly attentive. Life span is 15 years.
Squirrel monkeys move through the trees by leaping.
This odor turns away hunters who might otherwise kill them for food. Squirrel monkeys find safety in numbers by feeding in large groups that are too great for the larger monkeys to chase from the trees. Most common monkey in South America. They have been extensively used for biomedical research in the past. Trade is now regulated, but they are used locally for food, bait and pets.