Tiffani Thiessen in surprise lemur encounter - video

Tiffani Thiessen was surprised by a lemur when she appeared on Today this morning.

The Saved by the Bell star joined the show to promote White Collar but got more than she bargained for during a segment featuring wild animals.



Black-and-white ruffed lemur Bakari seemed to take a shine to Thiessen when he visited the studio, and began to clamber over her head, sticking his paw in her eye.



Thiessen initially looked shocked but appeared to take the surprise well, joking: "Hello there" and smiling as Bakari climbed off her again.

The lemur was brought into the studio by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens animal ambassador Julie Scardina, who appeared on the show to introduce the Today stars to some critically endangered species.



Bakari caused further controversy later in the segment when he began to lick his genitals, as Scardina intervened and joked: "Bakari, that's not really polite."

Scardina also brought a Burmese python into the studio, which Thiessen happily helped to hold. A North American groundhog also met the anchors and received strokes from the actress.

White Collar airs Tuesdays on USA.

Watch Tiffani Thiessen being surprised by a lemur on Today below: