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What are cotton-top
tamarins?
Cotton-top tamarins are tiny monkeys (about the size of a squirrel) that
weigh less than one pound. Cotton-top tamarins get their name from the
white fur that is on top of their heads. Their backs are brown, and
they have white bellies and black faces. Cotton-top tamarins can live for
about 8-12 years in the wild, and up to 10-25 years in zoos.
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What do they do?
Cotton-top tamarins are active during the day and sleep at night, just
like people. At night they sleep huddled together with the
youngest members tucked in the middle of the group. During
the day cotton-top tamarins spend most of their time searching for food.
Young animals enjoy playing with their brothers and sisters and everyone
loves to be groomed. Grooming is good for removing all those pesky
ticks and mites but it also helps to strengthen the bonds among animals
in the group. It's just like getting a hug!
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Where are they from?
In the
wild, cotton-top tamarins live only in the country of Colombia in South
America. They can be found in the northwest region of the country
living high in the treetops of the tropical forests.
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Do cotton-top tamarins
live in groups?
Yes,
cotton-top tamarins live in groups that have anywhere from two to twelve
members.
Most of
the cotton-top tamarins in these groups are related to each other.
For every group, there is only one male and female pair that has babies.
The females usually give birth to twins once a year. In cotton-top
tamarin groups, everyone takes care of the baby monkeys. Fathers,
brothers, and sisters carry infants on their backs. This is great
training for younger members to learn how to care for infants.
When cotton-top tamarins want to talk to each other they make a
sound called a chirp, a short, sharp noise that sounds a lot like a
bird. Family members talk to each other for the same reasons we do: to
let other family members know where they are, to warn each other of
danger, to talk to their friends, and to let the rest of their group
know it’s time to eat.
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What do they eat?
Cotton-top tamarins eat mostly fruits and insects. Sometimes they
will eat bird eggs and lizards. They love to lick the sap from trees. Cotton-tops get the water they need from the fruits they eat or by
licking the morning dew from leaves.
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Who are their predators?
The
main predators for cotton-top tamarins
are hawks and snakes. However, they must also be on the lookout
for humans too! Humans may try to catch them and sell them
illegally in the pet trade of local and international markets.
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Are they endangered?
Yes,
cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered primates in the
world. They are endangered because people destroy their tropical
forest habitat. Many cotton-top tamarins are also captured and
sold illegally as pets.
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How can I help
cotton-top tamarins?
Everyone
can do simple things to help these amazing monkeys. Spread the
word and tell your friends all about one of the world's most endangered
animals, don’t forget to choose your pets wisely and do not adopt
monkeys as pets.
Get everyone in your class together to collect pennies for cotton
top tamarins. You could even start a contest with other
classes to see who can raise the most for cotton-tops!
Another great way to help cotton-top tamarins is to purchase a
mochila. Mochilas are bags and purses that are made from the same
plastic shopping bags that people use to carry their groceries. The bags
are woven together the same way a hand-made sweater is. Reusing the
shopping bags instead of throwing them away helps the environment.
It also helps the local people who sell them to help support their
families.
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How do we know so much
about cotton-top tamarins?
The
team of Proyecto
Tití has been studying cotton-top tamarins in the
tropical forest of Colombia since 1985! Each day scientists and
field assists follow groups of cotton-top tamarins to learn more about
their behavior, what they eat, where they sleep, how they reproduce, and
what they need to survive. That information is shared with local
people in Colombia and you, so that you too can become a Cotton-top
Champion! The more everyone knows about what cotton-top tamarins
need to survive the better decisions we can make to help protect them
for the future.
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