Stop 1 - Ring-tailed lemurs

by Bethany Rose Farmer, age 9; Joel Martin, age 12;
and Nancy Stokes Du Bose, age 9.
The noisy Ring-tailed lemurs,
With long tails black and white,
Like to make lots of noise
But prefer a stinky fight.
Southern Madagascar
Is where they like to roam.
Their habitat is shrinking
But in zoos they find a home.
They love to sun themselves
When there's nothing else to do,
Or form a ball of lemurs
To keep from turning blue.
They live on their own island and
As omnivores will do,
They eat plants and small animals,
Within their field of view.

Stop 2 - Red Ruffed Lemur
by Nancy Stokes Du Bose, age 9.
From the Cavern Café, our island isn't far.
It's not nearly as hard as going to Madagascar.
Both places are islands, it is true.
We're the size of large kitties but not cats, I hope you knew.
We don't build bunk beds, we build nests in trees.
We also eat fruit, nectar, and pollen, but we're not bees.
You can recognize us by our red & black fur.
We're an endangered species. We are the red ruffed lemur.

Stop 3 - Howler Monkey
by Nancy Stokes Du Bose, age 9.
The howler monkey
Is the biggest of the New World monkeys,
Eating fruits, nuts, flowers, and leaves.
They gather food using their prehensile tail.
These monkeys are known for their powerful wail.

Stop 4 - Spider Monkey
by Bethany Rose Farmer, age 9.
Monkeys aren't new but there's more to know,
So read along as you go.
I have long arms for swinging and a prehensile tail
Spider-like and fast, like a gazelle.
I like the rainforests of Mexico and Brazil
Where I eat fruits and nuts 'til I get my fill.
My dog-like bark may make you smile,
But I am smart and social and full of style!

Stop 5 - White-faced Saki Monkey
by Aaron Taylor, age 11; Lillian Taylor, age 16;
and Taylor Kelly, age 16.
The White-faced Saki Monkey's rapid hopping
Has earned them the name "Flying Jacks".
They are mute in captivity
But are talkative in their natural habitat.

Stop 6 - Squirrel Monkeys
by Joel Martin, age 12.
Inside the monkey village, it is exciting for you to see,
Small squirrel monkeys jump from tree to tree.
From one to three pounds, is what they weigh.
In safer groups, they choose to stay.
High in the trees, out of predators' sight,
Their tropical rain forest home is just right.
An omnivore's diet, is what they eat
Fruits nuts and insects, with eggs for a treat.
With extra long tails and white masked eyes,
They look like they should win a prize.
Be sure to see these primates when you come to the zoo,
You can learn a lot by watching them and have fun too.

Stop 7 - Gibbons
by Joel Martin, age 12.
Across from the Land of Dragons on an island you will see,
The long-armed active Gibbons swinging from tree to tree.
They are called lesser apes because they have no tails,
With fur in different colors both the females and the males.
They eat fruit and leaves and seeds and bugs,
They are social primates who will give big hugs.
Acrobatic and agile they are quite sporty,
These primates can live up to the age of forty.

Stop 8 - Orangutan
by Bethany Rose Farmer, age 9.
Orangutans, as the name implies,
Are orangy brown, with big round eyes
And flabby faces, big and round,
With curvy lips to shape their sounds.
With long curved arms and hook-like feet,
They move like gymnasts through trees.
Sumatraland is where they're from,
While Borneo is home to some.
Their favorite foods are fleshy fruits,
But termites and ants will also do.
Smart they are, if not astute;
They make their tools to open fruit.
Long manes of hair to shed the rain,
Their constant grooming is not in vain.
If you watch them for a little while,
You'll not forget their cheerful smile.