ANIMAL: Cotton-Top Tamarin Saguinus oedipus Type of Animal: New World Monkey Habitat: Tropical lowland forest (both wet and dry), forest edge, moist woodlands, dry thorn forest savanna Location(s): N.W Colombia Appearance: White mane, belly, & feet, w/ brown back & tail, almost gremlin look. Food/Diet: Insects, fruit, nectar, exudates, seeds, gum, sap, amphibians, lizards, flowers, buds, leaves, birds, mice, spiders, eggs, snails, young tortoises, young snakes Status in Wild: Critically Endangered Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife parks, & aquariums. Lifestyle: Troops consist of monogamous pair w/ up to 3 sets of offspring Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young-Infant Group-Troop Weight: Male-14.4 oz Female-15.04 oz Young-3.2 oz Gestation: 6 months Height: 9.12 in Body Length: 6.6 in Life Span: 13-16 years in wild, 25 years in captivity Tail Length: 9.84 in Main predators are felids, raptors, snakes, tayras, otters, weasels, & crocodilians. Endangered due to deforestation, habitat loss, pet trade, medical research, oil exploration, civil strife, disease, hunting for meat, & inbreeding. Make lots of noise in order to warn other troop members of predators & claim territory. Dad carries newborns everywhere and gives to mate only for nursing. Eventually, all members carry newborns around but dad plays largest role. Family troops very territorial, sometimes killing intruders. Interestingly, breeding female initiates territorial combat & then others join in. Females sexually mature at 1 year, males at 1.5 years. Proyecto Titi helps study Cotton-Tops in native habitat & educate local communities. They lack prehensile tails. Barranquilla Zoo & Disney’s Animal Kingdom have worked together since 2001 to save this species. Fun Fact(s): Even though small, cute, & somewhat gentle, they don’t make good pets. More Cotton-Top Tamarins in captivity then in wild.
