We’ve also worked with organizations, such as Proyecto Titi in Colombia, to help protect this critically endangered species. The birth of these critically endangered primates is just one example of how we work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan to help ensure the responsible breeding of threatened species in managed care and help create healthy and genetically diverse populations of animals for years to come. Though small in stature, these twins will play a big role in the continuation of one of the most endangered primate species. And they’re highly intelligent, too, with at least 38 distinct calls in their vocal repertoire to communicate with each other!įully grown, adult cotton-top tamarins weigh less than a pound and are about the size of a squirrel. They are critically endangered because of the illegal pet trade as well as extensive deforestation and loss of habitat.Ĭotton-top tamarins are known for the wild manes of bright-white hair atop their heads, resembling a well-known genius and theoretical physicist.

These primates live high in the treetops and forage through the canopy for the fruits and insects that make up most of their diet. You can expect to see the twins cozied up to both mom and dad over the next several months.Ĭotton-top tamarins are native to Colombia and typically found in the tropical forests of the northwest region of the country. As first-time parents, both mom and dad are doing great, sharing the parenting duties.

Infants are completely dependent on their families for survival and are carried around on the backs of their family members for up to 14 weeks. It’s too soon to know if they’re male or female, so we haven’t landed on names yet for these cute little monkeys.Īlthough cotton-top tamarins are considered a rare species with less than 7,500 remaining in the wild, having twins is quite typical for the species. These bundles of joy have our animal care team themselves jumping for joy – though less acrobatically – as the pair marks the first cotton-top tamarin births at Walt Disney World since 2001.

Weighing about as much as a common chicken egg, and measuring approximately four inches long, these pint-sized newborns cling tightly to their parents as both mom and dad acrobatically leap from branch to branch in their habitat on Discovery Island. An adorable set of tiny, critically endangered twins were born at Walt Disney World, doubling the size of the cotton-top tamarin population at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Baby and adult animals images