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Columbus Zoo Names Baby Monkey After ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Jax Taylor 

Jax Taylor
Jax Taylor Milla Cochran/startraksphoto.com

Jax Taylor is no stranger to monkey business! The Columbus Zoo just announced they named a baby vervet monkey after the Vanderpump Rules star.

Related: ‘Vanderpump Rules:' The Craziest Moments Ever

“Meet Jax Taylor, the newest edition to the vervet troop! He got his name from Vanderpump Rules! At the Columbus Zoo, there are a total of eight vervet monkeys,” Hillary, an animal care specialist, began on the Columbus Zoo’s Instagram page on Tuesday, June 20. “This little guy was born on April 12, 2018. In the top picture, you can see Jax Taylor’s ultrasound when he was 123 days old in Sassie’s womb … Today, Jax is 10 weeks old! You can usually find Jax hanging off of his mom Sassie, learning to navigate his new surroundings by jumping on logs, climbing trees, or climbing his big brother, Junior!”

Meet Jax Taylor, the newest edition to the vervet troop! He got his name from Vanderpump Rules! At the Columbus Zoo, there are a total of eight vervet monkeys. This little guy was born on April 12, 2018. In the top picture, you can see Jax Taylor’s ultrasound when he was 123 days old in Sassie’s womb. Can you spot his big head?☺ The vervet monkey gestation period is about 165 days! The middle picture is one of the first times I saw Jax smile when he was 3 weeks old. In the bottom picture, you can see at 4 weeks old he is starting to become curious of his surroundings and learning how to navigate those trees! (You might need to look closely, as his hair provides excellent camouflage). Today, Jax is 10 weeks old! You can usually find Jax hanging off of his mom Sassie, learning to navigate his new surroundings by jumping on logs, climbing trees, or climbing his big brother, Junior! Vervets are common in Africa. However, they do face threats like cars, poaching, and deforestation. I have fallen in love with these monkeys since I started working with the Heart of Africa team. Each vervet monkey has his or her own personality. For instance, Betsy is in charge and does what she wants. Todd tends to hang out with Bob, run around, hang out under the hammock, or hang out by himself. Junior and GusGus (yes, named after the mouse in Cinderella) are the youngsters and are always running around checking things out. To learn more about these amazing monkeys who have captured my heart, come to our Vervet Keeper Talk, presented by GermainCars.com, at 9:30 a.m. Jax is growing up quickly, and you don’t want to miss it! –Hillary, Animal Care Specialist

A post shared by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (@columbus_zoo) on

The 38-year-old reality TV personality was excited by the tribute, and responded to the Ohio zoo on Twitter.

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“This is amazing!!! @ColumbusZoo  thank you! Now I need to pay a visit,” Taylor tweeted. After the Columbus Zoo replied that they would be “happy to welcome” him at the zoo, Taylor added, “You guys are amazing… let me know if that little guy needs anything.”

The Bravo star’s fiancée, Brittany Cartwright, chimed in on Twitter and called the monkey named after her man “SO cute.” Fellow Vanderpump Rules castmate Tom Schwartz also shared the zoo’s post on his Instagram Story, writing, “High praise @columbus_zoo.”

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Taylor has starred on Vanderpump Rules since season 1, which premiered in January 2013. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, meanwhile, was named the No. 1 zoo in the United States by USA Travel Guide in 2012.

The cast of Vanderpump Rules is currently filming season 7, and the series is expected to return to Bravo later this year. Lala Kent exclusively told Us Weekly on June 15 that the upcoming seventh season is going to be “crazy, just like always.”

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