Moustache monkeys a hit at zoo
THEY may only be newborns but the newest attractions at Queensland Zoo are already sporting moustaches.
The Emperor Tamarin colony has been bolstered by two, after twins - the third set of primate twins this season - were welcomed by excited zoo staff who were ready to show their new friends off to the world on Friday.
"They'd basically be able to hold onto your thumb and they weigh about 30 grams each at the moment," Queensland Zoo senior primate keeper Danielle Chinn said.
"That's the third set of twins for this season from three different species of monkey.
"They usually have one baby in their first season of breeding, then twins or triplets next."
Happily cruising around on the back of their father, Gomez, the pair were pretty shy yesterday, although Ms Chinn said that would all change in about a week, when the duo started to grow more curious about their surroundings.
"The mother carried them around for about four months in the womb and now the dad carries them around on his back for about four months, handing them back to the mother at feeding times, so it's a pretty good deal for the mum," Ms Chinn said with a laugh.
The Emperor Tamarin remains a far from secure species, although not critically endangered like the Cotton Top Tamarin, with the males likely to be shifted around the country to continue the breeding programs in other zoos.
"People know them as the moustache monkeys because they're born with a tiny little moustache, which grows quite large as they develop," Ms Chinn said.
Zoo staff had been in a state of anticipation for some time, with the baby's mother looking ready to pop for over a month before they turned up.
As for the public wanting to catch a glimpse of the miniature, moustachioed monkeys, everyone is welcome to come down and catch a glimpse of the colourful characters at the zoo, near the Big Pineapple precinct.
All about Emperor Tamarins:
- Weight: 220g-900g
- Size: Body 18cm-30cm in length
- Habitat: Lowland tropical forest
- Have been known to live up to 20 years
- White beards gave them their royal name
