The Minnesota Zoo is excited to welcome a new primate species! Bolivian Grey Titi (pronounced “tee-tee”) monkeys are now on exhibit along the indoor Tropics Trail. The monkey duo, brother “Suriqui” and sister “Madeira,” are eight and nine years old. The female is smaller than her brother and sports more grey hair around her face and neck. Because they are new to the Zoo, they are just starting to slowly explore their exhibit and should become more visible in the coming weeks.

In the wild, arboreal titi monkeys are found in tropical, humid forests of Bolivia and northern Brazil. These small, New World animals are approximately 19 inches in length, with males slightly larger than females. They have long, non-prehensile tails and long hind limbs. Their chests and bellies range from orange to orange-brown.

Cautious and careful monkeys, they can be shy until comfortable in their surroundings at which time they engage. Titi monkeys form small, pair-bonded groups of 2-7 members and are considered monogamous – usually remaining in close proximity (with hands clasped and interwoven tails – known as “twining”) to one another for almost all activities. They have also been observed grasping feet, nuzzling and lip-smacking. They eat fruit pulp, leaves, insects and seeds. The oldest living Bolivian titi monkey in human care was 24 years old; little information on the lifespan of this species in the wild is known.

You can learn more about these amazing animals and see them exploring their new habitat daily at the Zoo along the Tropics Trail.