Goeldis monkey

Goeldi's monkey belongs to the squirrel monkey family, which includes approximately 20 different species.

The monkey is rarely closer than 5 metres above the forest floor and gets from tree to tree by jumping, not by walking on the ground. It finds its food in the treetops.

The chicks suckle for 12 weeks, but after about four weeks they are already able to digest fruit given to them by their parents.

The Goeldis monkey lives in social groups of 2-10 members. Older siblings help with brood care

• Distribution: Tropical rainforest in a limited area of the Amazon forest in western Brazil, Bolivia, southern Colombia and northern Peru
• Population: Endangered due to the destruction of the rainforest areas it inhabits. Part of the European breeding co-operation
• Weight: 500 grams
• Body length: 22-28 centimetres
• Sexual maturity: After 14 months
• Gestation: 155 days
• Number of chicks: One, usually carried on the back. Weighs only about 50 grams at birth
• Food: Fruit, insects and small animals
• Zoo menu: Fruit, mealworms and crickets
• Life expectancy: In captivity more than 9 years
• Latin name: Callimico goeldii