Recently, at Saigon Zoo (Ho Chi Minh City), many visitors have come to see the silvered leaf monkeys, particularly after a baby monkey with an orange-yellow coat has taken the internet by storm.
The recent social media buzz revolves around the family of silvered leaf monkeys at Saigon Zoo, which has welcomed a baby with a striking orange-yellow fur, contrasting with the grey-silver fur of its parents.
Social media users have been sharing images of a newborn monkey with orange-yellow fur, cared for by its grey-silver furred parents. Nearby, there is an enclosure housing a pair of red-shanked doucs, one of which has fur matching that of the baby monkey.
This led many visitors and netizens to speculate that there is a “love scandal” between the silvered leaf monkeys and the red-shanked doucs, suggesting that the orange-yellow baby is a “hybrid” between the two species.
Adjacent to the silvered leaf monkey family’s enclosure is the home of a red-shanked douc with yellow fur. This individual has drawn suspicion from the online community as a potential “third party” connected to the orange-yellow baby monkey, due to their similar fur color.
Adult red-shanked doucs typically have black fur for males and yellow fur for females.
After the news and images of the monkey family at Saigon Zoo were shared on social media, many visitors flocked to the zoo to see the stars of the story for themselves.
Visitor Thiên Ân from Phú Nhuận District mentioned that they had seen the interesting story and images of the monkey family on social media over the past few days, so they invited a friend to come along today.
“I’m not sure about the truth behind the love scandal of the monkey family, but upon visiting, I found the baby monkey to be very adorable, with its beautiful orange-yellow fur. The whole family seems very happy as they cuddle together,” Thiên Ân shared.
The baby silvered leaf monkey with orange-yellow fur has captured the attention of visitors and the online community in recent days at Saigon Zoo.
Many visitors are drawn to the monkey enclosure to see the silvered leaf monkey family that has caused such a stir on social media.
Visitors are capturing photos of the silvered leaf monkey family with their orange-yellow baby.
In an interview with our reporter, Mr. Mai Khắc Trung Trực, Director of the Animal Enterprise at Saigon Zoo, stated that the information shared about the orange-yellow baby monkey being a hybrid of two different species is a misunderstanding.
According to Mr. Trực, adult silvered leaf monkeys are characterized by their grey-silver fur and solid black skin. However, newborn monkeys exhibit orange-yellow fur and lighter skin than their parents.
“The fur color of baby silvered leaf monkeys will change as they grow. Around six months after birth, the baby will begin to transition from orange-yellow to grey-silver fur. It typically starts with the fur on the arms, legs, and the top of the head, gradually spreading to the rest of the body. By the time they reach one year of age, the baby’s fur will closely resemble that of its parents,” Mr. Trực explained.
Following the “love scandal,” the silvered leaf monkey family remains closely bonded. The father monkey consistently shows affection and care for his baby.
This baby monkey is just over one month old, quite shy, and tends to stay close to its mother.
According to the Director of the Animal Enterprise at Saigon Zoo, there are currently 30 silvered leaf monkeys in the zoo, including two newborns.
These monkeys are kept in enclosures; however, some individuals may roam freely outside to play and interact with nature within the zoo.
An animal caretaker responsible for the monkey enclosure shared that the monkeys’ diet primarily consists of vegetables, fruits, and leaves, with food provided once a day. Each monkey is given around 1kg of food, sufficient to last them throughout the day.
Caring for the baby monkey is not complex, as most of the time, the mother monkey will hold and nurse it. As long as the mother is well-fed, she will take care of her baby on her own.
The average lifespan of silvered leaf monkeys in the wild is about 20-30 years, with reproduction occurring once a year. In Vietnam, this species is primarily found in Kiên Giang and some national forests.
According to some scientific studies, the orange color of baby monkeys helps them camouflage from predators, as animals that prey on baby monkeys, such as wildcats and leopards, are red-green colorblind. The orange color of the baby monkeys also attracts the attention of their parents, making it easier for them to locate and care for their young. Professor Graeme Milligan from the University of Glasgow demonstrated that the orange-yellow color of baby monkeys activates maternal instincts during childbirth. This color is a powerful peptide hormone that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It plays a vital role in reproduction, initiating contractions before birth and facilitating milk release. It is believed to be linked to broader social behaviors and attachment, particularly in mother-infant relationships. The hormone is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. As the monkeys grow and change color, this activation system gradually fades and disappears. |
