Predators include hawks and other raptors, cats and snakes. Golden lion tamarins have very distinct vocalizations, including about 17 specific calls used for things such as alarms, defense, etc. Their sounds include trilling for solo activity, clucking during foraging, whining for contact and long, song-like calls for vigilance. There is some sexual dimorphism in the calls.
(Sherr, 1996; Nowack 1997)
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
The golden lion tamarin is one of the rarest of all mammals in the wild, if not the rarest. It is certainly one of the most severely endangered of all primates in the world. There are only 400 left in the world, most on or near the Reserva Biologica de Poco des Antas in Rio de Janiero. The destruction of their habitat has accounted for their loss in numbers. The trees they live in are cut down for lumber, agriculture and housing. Large treeless areas prevent their spread.
There is hope because they have been bred successfully in captivity and this is continually raising their numbers. Reintroduction into the wild has been successful.
(Sherr, 1996)
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
Conservation efforts have made valuable land unavailable for human use. (Nowack, 1997; Sherr, 1996)
At one time, people captured and sold golden lion tamarins as pets. Their rapid decline in numbers has thwarted many people's desires for these exotic pets. They were also exploited in zoos and used in laboratories. (Nowack, 1997)
The golden lion tamarin is omnivorous (insectivorous and frugivorous). It eats spiders, snails, small lizards, eggs, small birds, fruits and vegetables. They eat insects using their long, slender fingers to probe into crevices in the tree bark. This technique is called "micromanipulation." It is uncommon that these tamarins will share food with others outside of their family members, but among the family members, some food sharing does take place. Juveniles, for example, playfully steal food from parents or siblings. (Sherr, 1996)
Animal Foods: birds; reptiles; eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; mollusks
Plant Foods: leaves; fruit
Primary Diet: omnivore
Lowland, coastal rain forest region in Southeast Brazil.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
They reside in dense forest that is entangled with many vines and has a high density of fruit. The climate is extremely humid. They occupy the closed canopy, often remaining 10-30 meters off the ground. They sleep in tree holes for protection from predators and warmth at night. (Sherr, 1996)
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
Golden lion tamarins live at least 15 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 15 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: male
Status: captivity: 24.8 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: captivity: 22.0 years.
The golden lion tamarin is between 200-366mm long (8-13in) with a tail length of between 315-400mm (12-15in). There is no sexual dimorphism. They have small, rounded heads adorned with a thick golden mane on the crown, cheeks, throat, ears and shoulders. Their bare faces are flat and have widely spaced nostrils. Their bodies are covered in long, soft silky hair with coloration ranging from pale golden to a rich reddish-gold. One interesting characteristic is that these tamarins have claws, not flattened fingernails. (Kleiman, 1981; Pearl, 1991; Sherr, 1996)
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 654.5 g.
There is one breeding pair per group. The rearing of young is a cooperative effort by all in the group, although the majority is done by the father.
Mating System: monogamous ; cooperative breeder
Golden lion tamarins normally breed twice per year, between September and March. Females give birth to twins after a gestation of 130 to 135 days. The age of sexual maturity is 18 months for females and 24 months for males.
Breeding interval: Golden lion tamarins breed twice a year.
Breeding season: Golden lion tamarins breed between September and March, the warmest and wettest time of year.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Range gestation period: 130 to 135 days.
Average weaning age: 90 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 18 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 24 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Average birth mass: 55.3 g.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 547 days.
At birth, the golden lion tamarin is fully furred with eyes open. It clings to its mother for the first few weeks and nurses for a period of 90 days. At about week 5, it begins to expand its curiousity and experience things on its own. In some cases, it has been observed that a parent prefers to tend to an offspring of its own sex, but with experienced parents, it did not make a difference. (Nowack, 1997; Pearl, 1991; Sherr, 1996)
Parental Investment: precocial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Male, Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning
