Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
Physical Description: Golden Lion Tamarins get their name from their impressive manes. The Golden Lion Tamarin is covered in golden fur that frames a black face and covers its small body and tail. They are small primates weighing between 17 and 24 ounces. Their bodies and heads measure 6 to 10 inches in length with a tail of about 12 to 15 inches long. Males and females are similar in appearance and size. They have narrow hands and feet and long fingers that help them stay aloft in the treetops. They sleep in hollows at night and forage by day while traveling from branch to branch.
Golden Lion Tamarins are a social species. In the wild, they live in groups of two to eight family members. The groups comprise a breeding pair, offspring of one or two litters and possibly other relatives. Golden Lion Tamarins groom much like other primates. The juveniles play, chasing and wrestling with each other. A group is called a troop, barrel, cartload, tribe, or wilderness. Habitat: Golden Lion Tamarins live primarily in the treetops of rainforests. Range: They are native to the Atlantic coastal rainforests of southeastern Brazil. Diet: They are omnivores. They enjoy fruit, flowers, insects, small vertebrates, tree gum, nectars, and bird eggs. Lifespan: They live on average 11 years in the wild and 15 in human care. Social Structure: Each group has one monogamous breeding pair. After a gestation period of about four and a half months, the female usually gives birth to twins. Golden Lion Tamarins are born fully furred with their eyes open. They cling to their mothers for the first few weeks. All members of the group will carry and care for the infants, but the adult male usually does the largest share. The mother only takes the infants to nurse them. After about five weeks, infants begin to explore on their own; they are weaned at 3 months. Status: Endangered1 Other: There are an estimated 1,400 mature individuals left in the wild1. 1 https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/11506/192327291 |
Rainforest Building open daily from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm