Pied Tamarin

Habitat

They dwell in the canopy of lowland forest, as well as in secondary forest that is found in Manaus, Brazil.

Wild Diet

They eat a varied diet of insects, ripe fruit, gum, nectar and small lizards.

Behaviour

Pied tamarins live in large groups. The offsrpring are cared for by all adult group members, which includes the males. The group sleep huddled together in branches. In the wild, pied tamarins will spend over half their day foraging for food. They use a stealthy approach and pounce to hunt and capture large insects on leaves and branches on all levels of the forest.

These primates are sometimes known as ‘bare-faced tamarins’ because their heads are the only part of their body without fur.

Breeding

A typical group will usually consist of a dominant pair and their offspring. Twins are born after a gestation period of 160 days. Infants are cared for by all members of the family. In a large group a mother may only carry the youngsters whilst they are suckling.

Conservation

Pied tamarins are becoming more and more endangered due to habitat destruction as the city of Manaus expands. Sadly, they also make popular pets, and suffer due to the illegal pet trade.

The species is slowly benefiting from conservation efforts in Brazil, and a management plan for the species. They occur in a number of protected areas around the city of Manaus, and they are also being bred in captivity, both in Brazil and abroad.