Tiny, endangered monkey twins born at Disney World. See them hang out with parents
Two new, tiny additions to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom belong to a species of primate that’s one of the most endangered in the world.
The “pint-sized” cotton-top tamarin twins were born on June 12 and are still clinging to their mom and dad as they swing through the trees at the park’s Discovery Island, according to a news release from Disney World.
The species is native to the tropical forests of Colombia, and with only about 7,500 remaining in the wild, they are considered critically endangered, the release says. The twins are also the first cotton-top tamarins to be born at the theme park since 2001.
Photos shared by Disney show the newborns clinging tightly to their parents’ backs as they hang out in the trees.
Each baby is about 4 inches long and weighs about as much as a chicken egg, according to Disney World. Their sexes have yet to be determined, and names still have not been chosen for them.
Infant cotton-top tamarins depend entirely on their family members to survive and will often be carried on relatives’ backs for up to 14 weeks, the release says.
The twins’ mom and dad are first-time parents that are “doing great” and sharing their parenting responsibilities, the release says. It’s common for members of the species to have twins.
Cotton-top tamarins are known for their unique manes of white hair that some say make them resemble Albert Einstein, according to Disney World. They’re also intelligent creatures and have 38 distinct calls they use to communicate with one another.
The twins born at the Animal Kingdom will play an important role in the conservation of their species, which is mainly threatened by habitat loss, deforestation and the illegal pet trade, according to Disney World.
The Central Florida theme park also supports local organizations in Colombia, such as Proyecto Titi, which works to try to connect isolated patches of forest to create larger habitats for cotton-top tamarins to survive in.
This story was originally published June 20, 2023 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Tiny, endangered monkey twins born at Disney World. See them hang out with parents."