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
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