Our Residents

In Memory

Rudy

squirrel monkey

Birth date: Estimated late 2011 or early 2012
Arrival date: 2013-02-11
Departed: 2023-08-03

More information

Previous home details: Rudy was confiscated by animal services from an exotic animal breeder. Before that, we know nothing about her background.
Condition upon arrival: When she arrived at Story Book Farm, Rudy was emaciated, and her liver was in first stages of shut down. Because she was in poor health, she had lost much of her hair, so she was bald in several areas on her body, and her tail was completely bald except for the very tip. This could also have been a result of self-mutilation because of the stress suffered in being taken away from her mother as a baby. She was also very hungry. She scratched continually and sneezed intermittently as well. She arrived with the birdcage where she was kept while in captivity, which did not give her much exercise room.
Progress: After a trip to the vet, it was determined that Rudy was 1 to 1.5 years old. The sneezing was not due to any illness, but perhaps a reaction to the humidity, and the scratching was not due to mites, but rather probably a boredom-associated, or stress-related behaviour which contributed to her baldness. She became much furrier over the next few weeks and her tail was much improved. She ate well and gained weight. She is very active in her new enclosure and she jumps, leaps and balances just as a squirrel monkey should. She has learned to trust her caregivers, although she is still shy when there are many people around and prefers to stay in her nest box and look out at whatever is happening around her. Rudy loves her outdoor enclosure and is constantly going back and forth between inside and outside. She can even close or open her own door, so her caretakers must always be aware of where she is. She moves very quickly. She is much less shy now too - curious about people, wanting to know what is happening around her. She was friendly with her neighbour Cheeko.
Changes: In January 2019, Rudy was moved to a larger enclosure next to Cheeko, though Cheeko has since passed. Rudy was recently diagnosed as diabetic. We are currently trying to manage it with diet, before using insulin, if needed.
Personality: Rudy is a curious and inquisitive little girl. She used to watch her neighbour, Cheeko, and she responds to the people who care for her. She is very quick, so must be watched carefully each time her area is opened for cleaning, food or water. As she is next to the kitchen, she loves to watch as meals are being prepared, and she chirps when she sees her favourite foods.
Favourite Activity: Rudy has been given many toys to play with and she seems to enjoy the challenge of some of the enrichment devices. She watches what is going on around her, and likes to bounce around her enclosure and swing on the hose that has been strung across her area. And of course, she loves dinner time!
Favourite Food: Rudy really seems to enjoy grapes, but unfortunately she rarely gets them now because of her diabetes. Mealworms and crickets are a hit as well as hard-boiled eggs and bell pepper.