Perth Zoo Monkey’s Funky Mustache Makes Him Look Just Like the Lorax

Monkeys are one of the most underrated animals in the world. There are so many different kinds of monkeys and yet people only give love to a few species! It's unfair!

Just look at this monkey the Perth Zoo posted recently! He looks just like a tiny version of the Lorax, and not enough people know that this sweet little thing even exists! He truly makes me want a monkey myself:

If anything was going to get me to book a trip to Perth Zoo , it would definitely be a sweet Lorax monkey. I bet he would look great in a thneed!

Related: Moment Spider Monkey in the Wild Recognizes Photographer After 2 Years Is Incredible

We don't know this guy's name, but we do know that he's an Emperor Tamarin. These monkeys are native to South America, specifically around the Amazon Basin. The spend almost all of their time in the trees, which their small bodies are perfect for; they can jump around easily. They mostly eat fruit, which is plentiful in the forest, but they'll also eat things like bugs and leaves if they must.

Most importantly, they have the most adorable white mustaches in the world. All Emperor Tamarins have them, so it's not a good way to tell males and females apart. The older they are, the longer their mustache will be (who's coming around to shave them?!). There's also a neighboring Tamarin species, the "Moustache" Tamarin, that has a much less impressive mustache.

Emperor Tamarins are Not Endangered

Unlike many Amazonian species, the Emperor Tamarin is actually not considered endangered by the IUCN: they're actually listed as least concern. However, even though their numbers may not be dwindling as quickly as other species, that doesn't mean they're not at risk. Frankly, just about every species living in the Amazon Basin area is at risk for habitat loss due to issues like:

1. Deforestation
2. Water and air pollution
3. Depletion of natural resources
4. Poaching
5. Illegal pet trading

Small monkeys in particular like Tamarins, Capuchins, and Spider monkeys are all at an increased risk for being illegally caught and sold. Unlike what most people believe, animals that are caught and traded are not typically sold directly to people who want to own a pet monkey. Instead, they're sold to breeders.

Unfortunately, even "friendly" monkeys like the Emperor Tamarin will seem aggressive and mean if kept in captivity as pets. They're wild animals that are not far-enough removed from their wild instincts, and they're almost certainly not getting the enrichment they truly need to be happy and thriving. Their care is best left to professionals or in the wild where they belong!