Cotton-headed Tamarin
Saguinus oedipus

CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Callithricidae

SIZE:
Body length approximately 1 foot

RANGE:
Caribbean coast of Columbia, South America

HABITAT:
Warm humid regions / rainforests

DIET:
Wild - Fruits, vegetables, frogs, mice, small birds, and lizards
Zoo - Fruits, vegetables insects

FACTS:

• Very agile; can leap through trees jumping 10 feet
• Hunting seems to be instinctive behavior; many times one tamarin in family unit will hunt and others will stay behind
• Monogamous creatures -- dominant male breeds with family member to produce 1 - 2 offspring
• Male serves as primary care giver; newborn leaves male only for nursing
• Natural groups of 8 - 12 members and the dominant male member rules the group by facial expression, calls or erection of mane.

Characterized by large snow-white mane, which is erected when animal is in state of excitement or display.

STATUS:
CITES App. I; ENDANGERED due to pet trade and habitat destruction