They are being raised by both parents and live with two older brothers, one each born the last two years. The oldest brother is assisting his parents by carrying the infants. This family may be seen on exhibit at the Small Animal Building where they live with a pair of Sloths and an Agouti. A second pair of twins were born 31 March 2001 and are doing well with their parents and older siblings. The most recent twins, born 29 April are the first offspring to the zoo's newest breeding pair of tamarins.
Family is very important to tamarins.
Both parents will carry and care for the infants. Older offspring gain experience by watching their parents and helping to care for and carry infants. Without this family group experience, tamarins cannot learn how to raise their own babies. Two Elongated Tortoises hatched and can be seen in the Encounter area of the Small Animal Building. Another is expected to hatch in about a month.