Cotton-top Tamarin/Saguinus oedipus:

Size:The Cotton-top Tamarin usually has a head-body length of 13-16 inches, and a relatively long tail length of about 10-15 inches.

Weight:The Cotton-top Tamarin usually weigh 252-364g.

Credit to: Anne Savage

  http://www.selu.com/~bio/cottontop/photos/savage/ctop01.jpg

Distribution:The Cotton-top Tamarin is found in Colombia, Panama, within tropical rainforests, open woodlands, and secondary growth and they are extremely sensitive to any alteration in their habitat.

Appearance:The Cotton-top Tamarin has a crest of long white hairs from the forehead to the nape of neck that flow over the shoulders. The back is brown, where as the underparts, arms and legs are whitish to yellow. Rump and inner thighs are often reddish orange.

Characteristics that distinguish the Cotton-top Tamarin from other new world monkeys is that it sports modified claws instead of nails on all digits and the presence of two rather than three molars on each side of the jaw. The Cotton-top Tamarin is also known for its acute eyesight, for hunting and the detection of danger. Long tails that are reddish - orange towards base and blackish towards tip, help keep balance during climbing and jumping.

Behavior:The Cotton-top Tamarins have a monogamous breeding system and live in groups ranging from 1-19 individuals. However, the most common group sizes are from 3-9 individuals. These groups consist of a dominant mated pair, their young of the year, and a few subordinate or young animals of both sexes. These subordinate members tend to form small groups and migrate in and out of the home range of the main group.

The Cotton-top Tamarins are also territorial and uses scent marks to define their territory. When coming into contact with other groups, instead of physical contact they will threaten the other group with the showing of their rear and genital area as a territorial display.

The Cotton-top Tamarin spends portion of their activity time foraging for animal prey, searching through clumps of dead leaves, amongst fresh leaves, along branches and peering and reaching into holes and crevices in branches and tree trunks. They sleep in bushy vegetation.

Diet: Cotton-top tamarins are primarily insectivorous; insects being 40% of their diet. They also favour other foods like fruits, flowers, nectar, plant exudates (gums,saps), and small animal prey (including frogs, snails, lizards, spiders and insects).

Lifespan:It is not known how long they live, but the estimated number is 7 - 16 years.

Reproduction: Sexual maturity is reached at 18 months in females and 24 months in males. Females give birth to an average of 2 young after a gestation of 130-170 days. The father and other group members assist with parental care, giving the baby back to mom when it is time to nurse. Saguinus oedipus possesses a couple of unique characteristics such as birthing non-identical twins twice each year. They also have a form of cooperative breeding, which isn't present in any other Primates

Why is it endangered:: The main problems contributing to the cotton-top tamarin's status as endangered is the clearing of their forest habitat and population depletion from animal trade.

Males put forth more effort in caring for young than the females. The father assists at birth and carries the young all of the time exept when the mother is feeding. This characteristic results from the fact that a female gives