{"id":13068,"date":"2025-10-24T09:28:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.livingdesert.org\/?post_type=tld_desert_digest&p=13068"},"modified":"2025-10-24T09:29:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:29:19","slug":"for-the-first-time-ever","status":"publish","type":"tld_desert_digest","link":"https:\/\/www.livingdesert.org\/zoo-news\/animal-care\/for-the-first-time-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"For the First Time EVER…"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ 55-year history, we\u2019ve welcomed a troop of primates to the Zoo!<\/p>\n

Now, the wait is (almost) over… Be among the first to meet the troop of patas monkeys! The newly renovated habitat in Village WaTuTu will open to the public on Saturday, November 1 at 10:00am.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reserve your Zoo<\/a> tickets now and be a part of this exciting day!<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Patas Monkey Conservation Habitat is generously supported by Squire and Angela Junger.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More about the Monkeys<\/h3>\n

Meet the Zoo’s newest residents \u2014 the patas monkeys, a striking desert species known for their speed, russet-red coats, and iconic mustaches. Native to the savannas and arid grasslands of Africa, these charismatic primates are uniquely suited to life in dry, open landscapes, where they travel in fast-moving troops and navigate the terrain with incredible speed (up to 34 mph!)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Did you know?<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Patas monkeys are the fastest primates in the world<\/strong>!<\/li>\n
  • Patas monkeys are\u00a0omnivores<\/strong>. Their diet includes gum from trees (especially acacias), insects, flowers, fruit, seeds, and roots.<\/li>\n
  • Typical groups have one dominant male with several females and their offspring.<\/li>\n
  • They don\u2019t spend most of their day high in the trees like many monkeys \u00a0\u2014 \u00a0they\u2019re mostly\u00a0ground-<\/strong>dwellers<\/strong>, using their long legs to move efficiently across the savanna.<\/li>\n
  • They rely heavily on body language and facial expressions for communication\u00a0(especially to avoid alerting predators)<\/em>. While they do have alarm calls, much of their daily communication is visual or tactile.<\/li>\n
  • <\/span>Patas monkeys have\u00a0unique cheek pouches<\/strong>\u00a0that allow them to store food \u2014 as much as their stomachs can hold!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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