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Whilst the England football team play for survival in the World Cup, one family from Brazil has just increased its numbers in time to cheer on the samba-loving soccer kings.
The family of pygmy marmosets at Lakes Aquarium has welcomed a new fluffy delivery in the form of a tiny little baby. Pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the world, so the new arrival is absolutely minute and estimated to weigh about one ounce.
The little baby has been christened Pele – not just because this is Brazil’s most famous soccer player, but also because it’s an anagram of peel – something the marmosets love to do with their fruit and their dextrous, tiny hands. As it is too soon to know whether this is a boy or a girl marmoset, the name chosen could be suitable for either gender.
Pele’s Mum and Dad first arrived in the rainforest zone of the global-themed attraction in 2008 and gave birth to their first litter in September 2008. Pele is their third baby and Dad is proudly carrying his baby around on his back, before handing over to Mum when it is time for some suckling.
Mum is now nearly 6.5 years old and Dad around 4.5 years old. The new baby might weigh next to nothing, but it is actually one-sixth of its Mum’s body weight. This is the highest ratio of baby weight to mother weight in the monkey world. Human babies usually only weigh around one 19th of their mother’s body weight!
Pele’s tiny little face, gorgeous eyes and furry, ball-like body have all the girls swooning and children are ecstatic when they spot the little cutie on his father’s back. The marmosets might only measure a few centimetres in length, not counting their tail, but they certainly make a massive impact.
Lakes Aquarium marketing manager, Cathy Burrows said: “Pele’s arrival offers a fantastic opportunity for families, who haven’t managed to see one of our new-born baby marmosets before, to visit and appreciate just how adorable they are. A saving of up to 30 per cent is available by buying tickets in advance online and we have lots of additional, free World Cup themed activity at the moment, so Pele’s arrival could not have been better timed”.
More information on how to get to the Lakeside-based Aquarium, close to Newby Bridge and on the southern shore of Windermere, is available at www.lakesaquarium.co.ukNormal admission charges without the online discount are £8.95 for adults, £5.95 for children and from £26.95 from a family. Lakes Aquarium is open every day, from 9am to 6pm in summer.