The squirrel monkey is found in the tropical forest habitats of South America. They are very agile, being able to jump between trees easily. They urinate on their hands to improve their grip and use their tails for balance.
Squirrel monkeys are extremely clever and inquisitive, for example they can easily figure out how to open doors. Because of this they need lots of stimulation in captivity.
Their numbers have declined rapidly in recent years and they are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, due to large-scale deforestation and the demands of the pet trade.