Ernie Keebler

  • Species: Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
  • Gender: Male
  • Birthday: May 25, 2002
  • Arrival: November 21, 2007
  • Background: Research
  • Character: Shy

Ernie arrived at Jungle Friends with four other male marmosets from a research laboratory, which had purchased the boys for use in iron toxicity research. When it was discovered that marmosets aren’t good models for such research, another researcher at the university wanted to use them for schizophrenia studies. Luckily, the boys were spared that fate and instead were allowed to move to Jungle Friends.

Although Ernie is very shy, he has adapted very well to his new sanctuary home. He is a very small marmoset; he was named Ernie Keebler, after the elf. Ernie enjoys climbing around in his habitat and finding new nooks and crannies to explore. He also enjoys sitting on tree branches with his partner, watching the neighboring marmosets and catching insects.