The cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) is an endangered species that is only found in a small area of Colombia. It has a population of about 100 to 10,000. From the population, there are about 1,450 in captivity. Within captivity, the cotton-top tamarin is divided into those in zoos (40 %) and those in research laboratories (60%) (Kirkwood and Stathatos, 1992).

The cotton-top tamarins are part of the Callitrichidae family. The Callitrichids usually occupy "secondary forest and edge habitats to primary forests"(Wallis, 1997). However, it has been found that Callitrichids can live in all types of forest habitats. Most Callitrichids have been found in secondary forest. This is a result of reduced numbers of large primates (because of hunting) which allows the Callitrichids to have more resources in these areas (Smuts et.al, 1987). Specifically, the cotton-top tamarins live in small home-ranges (Savage, 1990). The cotton-top tamarin is found to live in tropical rainforests with different levels of rainfall. They can survive in humid habitats that have annual rainfalls of 2,000-4000 mm with an elevation ranging from 200-1,000 m above sea level. Or, they can live in dry habitats with low rainfall and seasonal fluctuations. As a result of major deforestation in the tropical rainforest in Colombia, the cotton-top tamarin has been forced to live in "small patchy forests areas" (Savage, 1990).The deforestation in Colombia can have several negative effects on the lives of the cotton-top tamarin. For one, their reproductive success and genetic variability may be greatly reduced. Without an adequate sized home-range, they will be unable to emigrate to different areas which may cause inbreeding and a decline in "long-term survival" (Savage, 1990).

 

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Like other tamarins, they "distribute their time evenly throughout the range in a day or cover the course of the area in a few days." In addition, they usually frequent fruit trees throughout the day.

Image courtesy of Arnold Chamove

The cotton-top tamarin diet consist of fruits, vines, epiphytes, insects, leaves, buds, flowers, frogs, lizards, tree gum, and small vertebrates. By defacating seeds from flowers and trees, the cotton-top tamarin helps the germination of many trees and plants in their habitat (Savage, 1990). It has been found that the Callitrichids eat a lot of exudates. There are several implications to why they eat a lot of exudates. The exudates provide them with calcium which is not prevalent in the rest of their diet. Specifically, the calcium plays a large role in the lactation of female Callitirichids because they usually give birth to twins (Smuts et.al, 1987). As a result, the females need plenty of nutrients to help in the development and nourishment of their young.

The sleeping area of cotton-top tamarins is usually in the center of the home range. It is very difficult to notice the cotton-top tamarins when they are sleeping in the trees. They sleep in trees covered with "broad leaves, vines, epiphytes, or lianas." They do so for protection from predators when sleeping. The predators of the tamarin include: "the ornate hawk eagle, ocelots, crested eagles, wild cats, tayras, and snakes". It was observed that tamarin groups were attacked by "raptors once every 1 or 2 weeks" (Smuts et. al, 1987). As a result, the tamarins are constantly scanning the periphery for predators and they send alarm calls several times an hour.

It is common for tamarins to go to their sleeping site about a half hour before sunset. Likewise, they do not use the same sleeping site more than two nights in a row (Savage, 1990). Such practices serve as predator protection because predators are unable to become familiar with where they sleep in this very vulnerable time.

 

 

 

 

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