San Antonio Zoo announced the birth of critically endangered cotton-top tamarin twins in spring 2026. The pair were born in late March and can be found with their family troop in the zoo’s NEOTROPICA area.
Twins are the rule, not the exception
Cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered, with roughly 6,000 individuals left in the wild, almost entirely because of habitat loss. But twin births are the species norm: about 80 percent of cotton-top tamarin births produce fraternal twins. Rare as the animals are, two at a time is exactly what a healthy birth looks like.
Because twinning is standard for the species, the delivery itself is generally similar to a single birth. Animal care staff monitored the mother through a pregnancy that typically runs 140 to 180 days, using voluntary training: regular weight checks the tamarin takes part in willingly, which tracks her health without stress.
The whole troop raises them
What happens after the birth is the part worth knowing. The entire cotton-top tamarin family group stepped in immediately. The father and older siblings take turns carrying the infants so the mother can rest and recover, which is not a charming quirk but an essential behavior for the species.
“The birth of these twins is an exciting moment for our team and for conservation efforts worldwide,” said Tim Morrow, president and CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “Cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered, and every birth is a meaningful step forward in protecting and preserving this incredible species for generations to come.”
Small primates are a recurring beat for us; Primarily Primates near San Antonio also took in trafficked spider monkeys this year.
A twin story on both sides of the glass
The zoo marked the birth with Methodist Healthcare, which delivers more babies than any other hospital system in San Antonio. Twins born at Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills were photographed alongside twin cotton-top tamarin stuffed animals, a nice bit of contrast given that human twins are uncommon where tamarin twins are the default. According to March of Dimes, 10,714 twins were born in Texas in 2024.
“Twin pregnancies can be an exciting journey for families, but they often require added attention throughout pregnancy and delivery,” said Lucy Koneri, director of women’s services at Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills.
Where to find them
Guests should look for the infants riding on their parents’ backs in NEOTROPICA as they grow stronger and more independent. A cotton-top tamarin is a small animal with an enormous white crest, and a baby one clinging to a parent’s back is easy to miss if you are walking quickly. Slow down at that habitat.
