Saimiri sciureus

**Semantic type:** Mammal

**Definition:** A small diurnal primate with nails instead of claws, the Saimiri sciureus has close-cropped fur that is olive at the shoulders tending toward orange at the back, with a black mouth and white around its throat, ears, and eyes. The squirrel monkey's long tail is used primarily for balance and it has the largest brain, proportionally, of all the primates. Squirrel monkeys are used in a wide variety of biomedical research applications.

**Synonyms:** - Common Squirrel Monkey - Common Squirrel Monkey - SAIMIRI SCIUREUS - South American Squirrel Monkey