Meet Teeny and Tiny, the two adorable squirrel monkeys who were born at ZSL London Zoo and are living their best lives in their new home. The babies were born to different mothers in the troop, Avril (Teeny's mother) and Francis (Tiny's) on Saturday June 5 and Wednesday June 9.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
"Both the new little ones — who we’ve nicknamed Teeny and Tiny — are doing really well," said zookeeper Rowan Swainson.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
According to the zookeepers, Avril and Francis have recently started to bring their babies out of their cosy indoor dens. For this reason, visitors to the zoo can see both duos hanging out in their lush, forested enclosure. At present, the zoo is not able to determine what sex Teeny and Tiny are as their mothers will continue to carry them on their back for a few weeks.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
"Squirrel monkeys carry their babies on their backs continuously for the first six to 10 weeks of their lives. So we’ll only be able to find out if the youngsters are male or female when they start to break free of their mothers," Mr Swainson explained.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
Squirrel monkeys form larger groups than any other New World monkey. Their groups have a range of up to 500 individuals and live in the tropical forest of Central and South America. They live to about 15 years old in the wild, about 20 years in captivity. They are omnivores and primarily feed on fruits and insects.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London zoo and other zoos in the country are trying to develop breeding programs with the aim to multiply their numbers. If you have a chance to visit the ZSL zoo, don't forget to visit the adorable babies clinging on to their mothers.
Image source: Facebook/ZSL London Zoo
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h/t: Dailymail