Brevard Zoo Welcomes Twin Cotton-Top Tamarin Babies, Born to Matriarch Luna Jan. 2
By Space Coast Daily // January 13, 2025
tamarins are squirrel-sized New World monkeys that can live up to 23 years old
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The cotton-top tamarin family at the Brevard Zoo recently grew with the arrival of two new additions. Twins were born to the matriarch, Luna, overnight on January 2.
The tamarins are squirrel-sized New World monkeys, and cotton-top tamarins can live up to 23 years old.
“The babies are doing great!” said Grace Scott, Rainforest Revealed area supervisor. “They have been holding tight to the backs of their mother and older brothers and have been seen nursing.”
These twins are especially significant for the zoo, as their sire, Cricket, passed away just over a month ago.
“We’re so happy that Cricket’s legacy lives on through these two new little ones,” said Scott.
“He was an excellent father, and his sons have stepped up wonderfully to assist with parenting duties.”
The two cotton-top tamarin babies have been clinging to family members, joining their older brothers Rue, Rudy, Albie, and Reggie—also sired by Cricket—in their habitat within the Rainforest Revealed loop.
According to Scott, Rudy has taken on a protective and watchful role since the births.
Albie, who showed less interest in previous births, has taken a more active role with this set of twins and has become one of the troop’s primary infant carriers. Even Reggie and Rue, just a year old, have been observed helping care for the newborns.
Luna is recovering well post-birth and has been very attentive and nurturing toward the infants.
“She has even approached keepers while carrying the babies on her back, which isn’t always typical so soon after giving birth. It highlights how confident and experienced she is as a mother,” Scott said.
With the strong support of their family, Luna and the twins are thriving, allowing the animal care team to adopt a more hands-off approach, as they have with the previous cotton-top tamarin births at the zoo. Stanchions have been placed around the habitat to give the family some added privacy.
Luna and Cricket were paired through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which ensures healthy, genetically diverse populations in AZA-accredited zoos. Cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade, making each new birth—like these twins—a vital step toward the species’ future.
