Cotton-top Tamarin
Saguinus oedipus
CLASS Mammalia | ORDER Primates | FAMILY CallithricidaeRANGE Colombia, South America
HABITAT Forests
DIET Insects, ripe fruit, seeds, and nectar; sometimes spiders, small vertebrates, and bird eggs
RANGE Colombia, South America
HABITAT Forests
DIET Insects, ripe fruit, seeds, and nectar; sometimes spiders, small vertebrates, and bird eggs
Cotton-top tamarins are found only in the rainforests of northwestern Colombia. They live in family groups of 6 to 10 individual to help defend themselves against predators.
When they see a predator, the tamarins let out an alarm call warning others of the danger.
Cotton-top tamarin mothers usually give birth to non-identical twins, and fathers play a big role by helping carry the new arrivals through the forest.
Deforestation and the demand for these tamarins in the local pet trade, as well as illegal exportations for biomedical research have greatly affected the populations.
