Bristol Zoo welcomes two infant squirrel monkeys
See more photos of the baby monkeys with their mothers below
Two infant common squirrel monkeys have been born at Bristol Zoo Gardens - bringing its troop of tree-dwelling monkeys to 14.
Ruby delivered her offspring in mid-September and Lilith, just two weeks ago. Both mothers are caring for their infants full-time.
The sex of the squirrel monkeys won’t be known for a while, however keepers have already given them the names of Grogu and Naboo.
Grogu and Naboo share the same father, who is one of the zoo’s newest arrivals and also carries a Star Wars inspired name, Gorse.
Both mothers and infants can often be seen together on one of the monkey islands at the Zoo.
They're the first to have been born within the group this year and keepers say they’re hoping for some further new arrivals over the coming weeks.
Megan Retallick, a mammal keeper at the Zoo, said: "It’s great to see both mums and infants thriving following successful births. The rest of our troop are very interested in the infants and often watch both Ruby and Lilith as they tend to their infants' needs."
"Having 14 common squirrel monkeys here at the Zoo keeps us very busy. They’re typically a very intelligent species who enjoy jumping around in the trees on their island, so they certainly keep us on our toes when it comes to feeding them and cleaning their exhibit."
Where do squirrel monkeys come from?
In the wild, common squirrel monkeys live in the forest and tropical jungles of Central and South America.
They're active during the day, spending most of their time in the middle level of the forest, moving from tree to tree looking for the fruits, flowers and insects that make up their diet.
They are excellent climbers and leapers and can travel long distances through the forest running along and leaping between branches. Only occasionally do they come down to the ground.
Common squirrel monkeys carefully smear food on their tails using their hands - an important characteristic that helps to identify close friends and family in the forest.
'Saving wildlife together' through the pandemic
Bristol Zoo Gardens and its sister site Wild Place Project are run by Bristol Zoological Society, a conservation and education charity.
In March last year, the Society launched the BZS Appeal to ensure the future of its work 'saving wildlife together' following the temporary closure of both its sites in the face of the Covid pandemic.
Since schools are now able to return to the zoos, donations from the appeal fund will support the Education Bursary Fund.
Through the Fund schools and youth groups in disadvantaged areas are able to benefit from visiting Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project.