Pygmy marmoset twins born at Chester Zoo
A pygmy marmoset, the world’s smallest species of monkey, has given birth to twins at a zoo.
The tiny babies, weighing in at just 15 grams, will measure just five inches in length when fully grown.
Arriving to mum Audrey and dad Gumi, the mini monkeys were born at Chester Zoo on July 25 but have only now grown to size whereby they are big enough to spot.
Dr Nick Davis, deputy curator of mammals at the zoo, said: “Pygmy marmosets actually have relatively large babies for their tiny size. An adult will only weigh up to around 150 grams and so each baby equates to around 10% of its body weight.
“After giving the babies their regular feeds, mum Audrey, like all other female Eastern pygmy marmosets, steps aside while dad takes on the parental chores.
“The youngsters can therefore often be seen being carried by dad Gumi for long periods of time as mum takes a well-deserved break.”
Eastern pygmy marmosets are native to the rainforests of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador and eastern Peru where they are threatened by both habitat loss and being captured for the pet trade.
