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Cotton Top Tamarin

Saguinus oedipus

Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Cebidae

Size

Weight: 9-13 oz
Length: 8-10 in (body), 13-16 in (tail)

Diet

Insects and fruit

Lifespan

Lifespan (Wild): 13 years
Lifespan (Captivity): 23 years

Habitat & Range

Rainforests of Colombia

Interesting Facts

  • Cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered primates in the world. They are only found in Colombia where they are a symbol of conservation.
  • There may be multiple males and females in a group of tamarins, but there is usually a single dominant breeding pair. Females usually give birth to non-identical twins.
  • Similar to marmosets, tamarins have claw-like nails that allow them to climb in a squirrel-like manner.
  • Theses tamarins primarily feed on insects and fruit. They also sometimes eat tree saps and gums. They cannot directly bore into trees, so they instead rely on holes made by insects or rodents.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Threats

Cotton-Top Tamarins are one of the most endangered primates. The greatest threat to this species is deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging, and human settlement. Much of the forest they require is too small and fragmented to support their populations.