For the first time in The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ 55-year history, we’ve welcomed a troop of primates to the Zoo!
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.
Reserve your Zoo tickets now and be a part of this exciting day!
The Patas Monkey Conservation Habitat is generously supported by Squire and Angela Junger.
More about the Monkeys
Meet the Zoo’s newest residents — 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!).
Did you know?
- Patas monkeys are the fastest primates in the world!
- Patas monkeys are omnivores. Their diet includes gum from trees (especially acacias), insects, flowers, fruit, seeds, and roots.
- Typical groups have one dominant male with several females and their offspring.
- They don’t spend most of their day high in the trees like many monkeys — they’re mostly ground-dwellers, using their long legs to move efficiently across the savanna.
- They rely heavily on body language and facial expressions for communication (especially to avoid alerting predators). While they do have alarm calls, much of their daily communication is visual or tactile.
- Patas monkeys have unique cheek pouches that allow them to store food — as much as their stomachs can hold!
