INTRODUCTION

Known to scientists and researchers Leontopithecus chrysomelas and Leontopithecus chrysopygus these are splendid specie belonging to the lion family. The subspecies of the golden Tamarins had a golden head and a golden rump respectively. Antonio Pigafetta, who was the documenter of Magellan’s voyage referred to the golden Tamarins as “beautiful, simian-like cats”.

DESCRIPTION

Tamarins are famous for the golden mane of long hairs crowning their head and extending down to the throat.

COLOUR: they are from golden to brown with black or orange hue on the toe or paws.

WEIGHT: the average weight of the animal is 1.1 pounds with a length of 10 inches excluding the tail.

NATURE OF FEEDING: they are omnivores like humans and can eat from fruits to small vertebrates.

HABITAT: preferably residents of tropical forests that are at least a 1000 meters away from the sea. The lions are diurnal in habitat and are found at small raised platforms away from the grounds of the jungle.

SLEEPING STATE: the lions sleep within shrubs or within nests and should be looked for in these areas at night.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: these animals live in small herds and are capable of reproduction, hunting and defense. The adults reproduce and nurture the off springs till they come of age. The average life span of the beast is about 28 years. Most work is done by the adult male as he is considered the leader of the pack. The breeding season is between September and March.

DISTRIBUTION: as the habitat is very well defined these animal occur in countries that have lowland tropical forests and were discovered in the 19th century in the Brazilian forest of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro.

Greater than 90% of the coastal forests in Atlantic have lost this beautiful specie and the current forest percentage where Tamarins can be found is 2%. Continued deforestation has hurt this like many other animals and continues to be a perpetual threat.

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