Animal Artists from ZOO Top Picasso

Nobody said anything about humans being the only creatures able to use canvases and eco-friendly dye to create masterpieces.

As soon as they get their paws and claws on some non-toxic paint, the competition begins.Every animal has a story to tell and their efforts are highly appreciated by Heidi Hellmuth, curator of enrichment and training at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

She has recently told Discovery News that monkeys have a lot of potential in the fine art sector and count as some of the most gifted and “experienced painters.”

It seems that a tiny primate having its natural home in some of Brazil's forests is a natural in this field of activity. It plays with colors like no other proving that painting is indeed an entertaining monkey business.

It appears that not only monkeys have this privilege. The naked mole-rat is part of a new generation of artists, that paint with their entire body.

Although only a few art lovers could picture themselves investing in a painting signed by cockroaches, their works of art are highly valued and often come along with a prohibitive price tag. Moreover, it seems that Pandas are also quite good for this job, even if their talent and skills are restricted by a fence.

Officials from Smithsonian's National Zoo reveal that paintings made by endangered species are even more expensive. This is the case of the giant panda artist that puts its mind at work to come up with a series of impressive drawings.

Even though it counts as an extra source of profit, such kind of activities rely only on voluntary participation, since animals aren't forced to paint if they are not interested in getting involved in such projects.

All in all, representatives from Smithsonian's National Zoo say painting counts as an important "mental exercise," aiming to keep animals in shape.

Even though it might not capture their attention on long-terms, most of the creatures play this game at least once. The golden-headed lion tamarin makes no exception. Although their work of art will never manage to make millions, it counts as a successful attempt to impress a large number of visitors.