Squirrel Monkeys are adorably curious little climbers. They use their tails as balancing poles, live in mini-societies with up to 500 members, and they wee on themselves to keep cool.

Wait, scratch that last one. That’s not cute.

It is true though. Due to the warm, tropical climates that Squirrel Monkeys live in, they often display a behaviour known as ‘urine washing’. This involves urinating on their hands, and then rubbing the urine on the soles of their feet. The evaporation process cools down the monkeys on particularly hot days.

I will only be accepting judgement from those of you who live in the tropics without air-conditioning or running water.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it certainly hasn’t been a hindrance to us primates.

I watched this Squirrel Monkey staring fastidiously at this leaf for several minutes, constantly turning it over in her hands, absolutely engrossed by it. I wondered what could possibly have been so interesting about this leaf to merit such unwavering attention.

It was at this moment that I realised I’d been staring at this monkey for the same amount of time she’d been staring at the leaf. Perhaps she was just as utterly enthralled by the natural world as I was.

These monkeys are just one of 400 species of primate worldwide – including you! Each displays unique behavioural characteristics, advanced social systems, and remarkable intelligence when compared with the rest of the animal kingdom.

Sadly, however, the majority of primates are threatened by habitat destruction, and a significant number have been brought to the brink of extinction. Our closest wild relatives deserve better from their genetic compatriots.

They deserve our protection, our curiosity and our utmost respect.

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This post is part of a series featuring four fantastic primates photographed at Los Amigos Biological Station in Peru. Check out our posts on Toppin’s Titi, the Brown Capuchin and the Saddleback Tamarin to learn more!

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Black-Capped Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), Los Amigos Biological Station, Madre de Dios, Peru