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Treasures of the Tropical Rainforest |
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Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin |
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Golden-headed Lion tamarins are very small monkeys. Their body is covered in black hair, but they get their name from the golden fur on their heads, tails and arms. They are very active and intelligent animals. |
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In the wild, they live in rainforests in the mountains of south eastern Brazil, in south America. They are becoming very endangered in the wild because their habitat has been cut down, mostly to clear space for farming. They live in the tops of the tree called the forest canopy. |
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Their two middle fingers are joined together by a web of skin, which helps them to catch their prey, and to grab branches when they take long leaps between the trees. |
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Tamarins live in family groups, and work together to defend their territory against other groups of tamarins. They do not actually fight, but make very loud calls, and mark the edges of their territory with strong scents. Golden headed lion tamarins are preyed on by hawks and other birds of prey, cats and large snakes. The tamarins give a loud alarm call when they spot a bird or other danger, and this helps protect the whole group. |
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The female usually gives birth to twins. All members of the group will help to look after the infants, with the adult male doing most of the carrying around. The older siblings help to look after their young brothers and sisters, which is very useful preparation for when they have babies of their own. |
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Golden Tamarin |
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