HATTIESBURG – The Hattiesburg Zoo has introduced three baby spider monkeys making their public debut this week.
The zoo said the monkeys, named Cider, Holly and Juniper, arrived in late 2025 and have spent the past several months growing and receiving around-the-clock care in the zoo’s quarantine facility.
Source: Hattiesburg ZooAccording to the zoo, each monkey was smaller than a sweet potato when they arrived and needed bottle feedings five times a day. They have since grown to about the size of a pineapple and still receive two bottle feedings daily as they continue to develop.
Zoo officials said animal care and veterinary staff have focused on bottle feedings, gradual introductions to solid foods, regular weight checks, health assessments, enrichment activities, socialization and routine wellness exams.
Guests can now see the three monkeys inside the Asbury Discovery Center in a special indoor glass viewing area, according to the zoo. The space is intended to help the animals safely adjust to new sights, sounds and people after spending their early months primarily with their care team.
The zoo said it will still be some time before the monkeys are ready to join the rest of the spider monkey troop on the South America Boardwalk. Officials said the gradual introduction is designed to ensure the young monkeys are strong, confident and socially prepared.
