 |
Region: South America Class: Mammalia Order: Primata Family: Callithricidae Genus: Leontopithecus Scientific Name: Leontopithecus rosalia
 |
Description:
Length of head and body: 200 - 336 mm
Length of tail: 315 - 400 mm
Weight: 210 - 590 g
|
Distribution:
Lowland rain forest of southeastern Brazil
|
Habitat:
Usually at a height of 3 to 10 m in the trees of the tropical forest. Has been reported in secondary forests and areas under partial cultivation.
|
Food:
Omnivores. Insects, fruit, also spiders, snails, small lizards, bird’s eggs and small birds.
|
Reproduction and Development:
Seasonal breeders. In Brazil birth occur from September to March. In captivity in the Northern hemisphere, most are born from January to June. Gestation period averages 128 days. Two days after birth, the father begins to carry the infant except when the mother takes it for feeding.
Males reach sexual maturity at 24 months, females reach sexual maturity at 18 months.
Lifespan in captivity is 15 years or longer.
|
Adaptations:
They are diurnal monkeys, sleeping at night in tree holes and occasionally in vines. Tamarins are able to leap from branch to branch with great agility.
|
Threats to Survival:
The golden lion tamarin is one of the world’s most critically endangered mammals. It has declined largely because of loss of habitat due to destruction of rain forest for lumber, agriculture, pasture and settlement. Up until the 1960’s this monkey was also exported for use in laboratories, for the pet trade and for zoo exhibits.
In 1973 numbers of the tamarins were estimated to be in the range of 400 individuals and by 1983 this number had dropped to 100 - 200 individuals. Through breeding in zoos, this monkey has been returned to the wild in monitored areas.
|
Status:
Endangered
|
Zoo Diet:
Zu/Preem Marmoset diet, fruit, vegetables, eggs, crickets and mealworms.
|
Store
Animal Fact Sheet
The New Tundra Trek