Where does the cotton-top tamarin live?
The cotton-top tamarin is a small New World monkey weighing less than 0.5 kg: one of the smallest primates. It lives in tropical forest edges and secondary forests in north-western Colombia, where it is arboreal and diurnal. It is easily recognised by the long white crest extending from its forehead to its shoulders. It is capable of leaps of more than 3 m, whose direction it corrects with its tail.
What does the cotton-top tamarin eat?
Its diet includes insects and plant exudates, and it is an important seed disperser in the tropical ecosystem. Groups form a clear dominance hierarchy, where only the dominant pair breeds. The female normally gives birth to twins and uses pheromones to prevent other females in the group from breeding. These tamarins have been extensively studied for their high level of cooperative care, as well as altruistic and spiteful behaviours.
Is the cotton-top tamarin endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered. The species is at risk due to large-scale habitat destruction: the lowland forest in north-western Colombia where it is found has been reduced to 5% of its previous area.
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