Pied Tamarin
These primates are brownish to cream in colour with bare dark ears and faces and brown coloured eyes. Their neck and throat area has longer white coloured fur, while the hind area is mainly brown. The Pied Tamarin has claw-like finger nails, except for on the first digit and toe. It has non opposable thumbs. Unlike marmosets, its teeth are not capable of gnawing into bark. They live in trees but will occasionally come down to the ground.
What they eat Fruit, gum, nectar, flowers, insects, animal prey.
How long they live The longest recorded lifespan is 19 years.
Biology Very little is known about this species and its habits in the wild, but studies have shown they live in groups and sleep huddled together in vines or branches. Their young are cared for in groups, with males also sharing some of the caring duties. Females usually give birth to twins. Pied Tamarins communicate by head flicking and tongue movements.
Did you know? The Pied Tamarin’s survival is being threatened by the more common and more robust Red-handed Tamarin, in a similar vein to the way in which the grey squirrel has overtaken territories formerly occupied by the Red Squirrel in Britain.
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Species Profile
Common name
Pied Tamarin
Scientific name
Saguinus bicolor
Animal group/type
Mammal - primate
Where they live
Brazil
Habitat
Amazon rainforest
Size
Body length 21-28cm
Weight
600 – 700g.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
Critically Endangered
Threats
Habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural development, cattle ranching and urban expansion.
Their limited range - the smallest ranging habitat of any of the Amazonian primate species – makes them particularly susceptible to any incidences of disease, natural or manmade disasters which could put their entire population at risk.
Competition with other Amazonian primates for terrain with which their territories overlap.