Cotton Top Tamarin

Scientific name: Saguinus Oedipus

The cotton top tamarin has a small body which is covered in thick fur. They are so-called ‘cotton topped’ because of the long white hair which flows like a mane from their heads and around their face.

Tamarins are excellent climbers. The claws on their fingers and toes allow them to climb trees with ease. They also use their long tails to help them balance.

Tamarins live in social groups of between 3 to 13 individuals. The group rely on one another for survival and can be very territorial if they come into contact with other groups. Tamarins scent mark their home ranges and will confront other groups of tamarins who come too close by making loud calls and fluffing up their fur to intimidate them.

Cotton top tamarins usually give birth to twins. The young are born helpless and so are carried everywhere for the first few weeks. The entire social group share responsibility for the care of new-born tamarins.

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