Two new squirrel monkeys, Mango and Mateo, are monkeying around at Reid Park Zoo! These juvenile brothers were chosen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Squirrel Monkey Species Survival Plan to teach Toto, another squirrel monkey at the Zoo, how to be a member of a troop.
Toto came to the Zoo after being rescued as a victim of illegal wildlife trafficking. Squirrel monkeys depend on one another to learn monkey etiquette and other social behaviors. Because of Toto’s unusual upbringing, he is still learning.
“We’re excited for Toto to have this opportunity to bond with other members of his species. He had a rough start to his life, and behaves a little differently than monkeys that grew up in a troop. Mango and Mateo are both young enough to be welcoming to Toto while they show him the ropes of living in a group,” said Director of Animal Care Adam Ramsey.
Mango and Mateo are settling into their new home building bonds with their care team and have begun the extensive introduction process to get to know Toto. In these first interactions, Toto can see Mango and Mateo from one side of the habitat, or choose to be further away and out of their visual range. Soon, the squirrel monkeys will be able to have physical contact through a barrier in which they could choose to interact on their own terms. When the monkeys are comfortable together, the care team will work to start having Toto share space with the newcomers.
Every step of the way, the care team will be positively reinforcing each positive interaction and only moving forward when the squirrel monkeys show signs of interest.
“We want Mango and Mateo to be super comfortable and confident in that space since Toto is comfortable and confident in that space already, before physical introductions begin,” said Animal Care Supervisor Tori Miller.
You can spot the new duo over in the South America loop of the Zoo at the Temple of Tiny Monkeys. Mateo is the older of the two brothers and is slightly bigger than his brother with a bushy tail tip. The youngest of the troop, Mango, is much smaller than the other monkeys with an oval face and eyes closer together. Currently, Toto is noticeably larger than the others with the smallest amount of black fur at the end of his tail.
Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, squirrel monkeys are among the world’s smallest primates. While the Zoo is excited about how this monkey troop is getting to know each other, Toto’s story serves as a reminder that illegal wildlife trafficking harms animals. Express your love of animals in other ways, by symbolically adopting an animal or donating to your favorite wildlife or conservation organization.