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Animals & Nature
squirrel monkey
primate
Also known as: Saimiri
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Animals & Nature
squirrel monkey, (genus Saimiri), most abundant primate of riverside forests in the Guianas and the Amazon River basin, distinguished by a circle of black hairless skin around the nose and mouth set against an expressive white face. Their short, soft fur is gray to olive green, with whitish underparts. Squirrel monkeys are 25–40 cm (10–16 inches) long, not including the heavy nonprehensile tail, which is at least as long as the body. Hands, arms, and feet are yellow to orange. Common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) have olive or grayish crowns and are found only in South America, whereas the endangered ...(100 of 345 words)