The Alexandria Zoo is home to a variety of primates, including black howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys and golden lion tamarins. Each species has its own unique characteristics that make them fascinating to observe.
Black howler monkeys are the loudest primates in the Americas. Males do most of the howling and can be heard up to 3 miles away over open terrain. They are known for their distinctive calls that can be heard throughout the forest.
Squirrel monkeys are excellent climbers and leapers and can travel long distances through the forest running along and leaping between branches. They have a prehensile tail which helps them move quickly through trees and navigate their environment with ease.
Spider monkeys have long arms which help them move around in the trees with agility. Their name comes from their appearance when they walk on all fours, as it looks like they are spinning webs like a spider.
Golden lion tamarins are named for their mane of fur around their head and bright coloration. They differ from other marmosets and tamarins because they have claws instead of nails on all digits except for the big toe which has a nail instead of a claw.
At Alexandria Zoo, visitors can observe these primates up close in their natural habitats or take part in educational programs about primate behavior and conservation efforts. The zoo also celebrated its first birth of the new year when black howler monkeys Cody and Lola welcomed their second offspring in January 2021.
Unfortunately, animal rights abuses still occur at Alexandria Zoo as two men were seen publicly beating up monkeys in February 2015 while dozens of zoo-goers watched and laughed. It is important to remember that these animals deserve respect just like any other living creature, so please be mindful when visiting zoos or interacting with wildlife in general!
