Cotton-top tamarin
Saguinus oedipus
IUCN Red List StatusCritically Endangered
Saguinus oedipus
Cotton-top tamarins are one of three Amazonian tamarin species, playing an essential role in seed dispersal within tropical ecosystems.
These small primates are easily recognised by their distinctive white crest of hair and small, squirrel-like bodies. Unlike most New World monkeys, tamarins have sharp claws instead of nails, which help them grip branches as they leap through the forest canopy. Their small, lightweight bodies allow them to reach smaller, higher branches that are inaccessible to larger animals.
Cotton-tops live in family groups of 2 to 9 members, though only one female reproduces each season. Tamarin young are typically born as twins and are heavy, weighing about 15-20% of their mother’s body weight. Family members help carry the infants, easing the load for parents.
The cotton-top tamarin is critically endangered, with an estimated 2,000 left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Deforestation for agriculture has driven the cotton-top tamarin to the brink of extinction. Although legally protected, many are still captured for the illegal pet trade.
Their population is projected to decline by 80% over the next 20 years.
With your support, we can continue collaborating with conservationists worldwide to protect cotton-top tamarins and secure a safer future for wildlife.
