These cheeky monkeys managed to get a ride in an unexpected way by climbing onto the back of a giant rodent.
The tiny squirrel monkeys at Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands climbed onto a large capybara that was trotting along nearby.
The South American mammal – the world’s largest living rodent species – has formed a bizarre friendship with the park’s mischievous monkeys.
Dutch photographer Corey van Loon captured this enchanting scene. He noticed that the monkeys were clinging to the capybara four at a time and riding it like a miniature horse.
She said the monkeys were so close to their barrel-shaped friends that they ate, slept and played together and even helped each other groom.
Corey added: “The capybaras and monkeys share an enclosure and tolerate each other completely.
“The capybaras don’t seem to mind the monkeys climbing all over them and riding on their backs. I think they love each other’s company.”
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“They often lie down in the grass and let the monkeys climb all over them.
“It’s really cute to watch them together. I love watching the monkeys interact with the capybaras – it’s so much fun to see how well the two species get along.”
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and originate from South America. They can grow up to 1.30 meters long and weigh up to 65 kilograms.
