MR COOL

My name is Tarzan. I am the most popular and the most photographed primate at Monkeyland. People love me, other primates can't keep their hands off me - I am Mr Cool.

I have one flaw though, I enjoy thieving and I have mastered the art. I just can't help myself. My technique is quite simple, but it works every time. I pretend to mind my own business, I pose for snapshots, I drool, I sun bathe, I stretch my body, scratch my tummy and private bits, I comb my hair with my fingers and so forth - basic spider monkey things. The trick is to look so adorable, so that the human's visiting Monkeyland's restaurant, end up frantically searching for their camera's to take that extra special photo. When their heads bend down, I strike! It works every time!

I always manage to thieve a couple of chips, a piece of carrot cake, a muffin or a sandwich from some random human. The people who work here at Monkeyland always insist that I only eat healthy food, but I am so used to junk food that I simply can't stop myself. Before Monkeyland, I used to live at a place where I was given leftover burgers, chips and such types of food on a daily basis. Now I get fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and things - ugghh!

Even though I am a thief, most people still love me, and continue to come back for more- so why stop thieving? I am the coolest dude I know.

My potbelly is so handsome, and stimulates conversations all by itself. Some humans think my belly looks like a human beer 'boep', and can't get over the fact that it is actually quite normal for a spider monkey to have a potbelly. I should however admit that mine is a bit large!

I am not very interested in the other spider monkeys who live here at Monkeyland. Jane is too bombastic, and I am sure she has a screw loose somewhere. Prince Charming is simply schizophrenic! I am however friends with numerous squirrel monkeys, and my latest friend is a Black lemur named Angelina Jolie.

Anyway, I thought that I'd better just let Brad know that spider monkeys are very cuddly animals that I am now starting to enjoy spending time with Angelina.

Move over Brad, she is simply not interested in you! Angelina follows me around everywhere! At first I was irritated and hated sharing my limelight, but I have kind of gotten used to her now. She loves touching me though, and sometimes I just need a bit of space, clingy chicks just don't do it for me.

Did you know? Spider monkeys don't have thumbs! They swing through the canopy effortlessly by hooking their hands from branch to branch and a thumb could easily get in the way.

Information supplied by:
Lara Mostert

www.monkeyland.co.za
www.birdsofeden.co.za

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