KEEPERS at Longleat are hopeful a pair of rare miniature monkeys will breed in the next few months.

The Geoffroy's tufted-ear marmosets, who each weigh less than 500g, have just moved to an open enclosure in the centre of the park's pets corner.

The marmosets, nicknamed Mike and Michelle, have a specially-heated indoor area, but can also get a bird's eye view of visitors from their own treetop rope walkways.

In the wild, marmosets supplement their diet with tree gum, which they gouge out with their sharp teeth.

In addition to gum the pair at Longleat enjoy grapes, locusts, blueberries and cat food.

Keeper Darren Beasley said: "They're highly territorial creatures and will not stray far from home and their regular supply of food but the area is as open as possible and provides visitors with uninterrupted views of the monkeys in near-natural surroundings."

In the wild, tufted-ear marmosets are classified as vulnerable in the 2000 IUCN Red List of endangered species.

Mr Beasley said: "The signs are good and we're keeping a close eye on Michelle in the hope she may be pregnant."