COTTON TOP TAMARIN
Saguinus oedipus
Mammal
Order Primate
Description
Head and body length is 7-8 in.,tail 10-11 in. Color: Crest
of long white hairs from forehead to 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 reddish - orange; tail reddish - orange towards
base, blackish towards tip.
Range
South America ( N.W. Columbia ).
Status
Endangered - C.I.T.E.S. I.

Photo © Greg Neise |
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Ecology
- Habitat
- Diurnal and arboreal. Found chiefly in tropical rain forests, also
gallery forests and forest patches in savannahs.
-
- Niche
- Omnivorous: Feeds on insects, soft fruits, nectar, plant exudates,
frogs, spiders, and small vertebrates.
Life History
They live alone or in groups of 2 - 19. 3 - 9 being most common. 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. Their longevity in the wild is not
known, but 7 - 16 years is the expected captive life span.
Special Adaptations
- Acute eyesight, hearing and smell aid in hunting and the detection
of danger.
- Long tails help keep balance during climbing and jumping.
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