Tamarin (Golden Lion) - Overview

Order: Mammalia

Family: Callitrichidae

Species: Leontopithecus rosalia

IUCN Status: Endangered

Population trend: decreasing

Distribution: found only in a stretch of coastal rainforests, southwest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, mainly in the Poco das Antas Reserve.

Habitat: areas of primary forest, that is forest that has not been affected by human interference.

Description: squirrel-sized monkey with long, silky reddish-brown fur. A lion-like mane frames its face. Bare face with pinky-purple skin. Large round eyes and a snub nose.

Life-span: 10-15 years in captivity.

Size: length: head and body 34-40cm, tail 26-38cm. weight: 630-710g.

Food: fruit, flowers, gums and nectars of plants, insects, snails, frogs, lizards and birds' eggs.

Tamarins and marmosets are the smallest monkeys (primates) in the world. There are 8 marmosets and 14 tamarins in the family. The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey of all and is 14cm long, weighing only 90g. The golden lion tamarin is the largest and related to the golden headed and golden rumped tamarins - all are among the most endangered of all mammals.