Emperor Tamarin
From Freepedia
| Emperor Tamarin Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | ||||||||||||||
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| Image:EmperorTamarin.jpg | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Saguinus imperator (Goeldi, 1907) |
The Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is a tamarin allegedly named for its similarity with the German emperor Wilhelm II. The name was first intended as a joke, but the name has become the official scientific name.
Emperor Tamarins live in the southwest Amazon Basin, in east Peru, north Bolivia and in the west Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas.
The fur of the Emperor Tamarin is predominantly grey colored, with yellowish speckles on its chest. The hands and feet are black and the tail is brown. Outstanding is its long, white mustache, which extends to both sides beyond the shoulders. The animals reach a length of 24 to 26 cm, plus a 35 cm long tail. They weigh approximately 300 to 400 g.
This primate inhabits tropical rain forests, living deep in the forest and also in open tree-covered areas. They are diurnal animals, spending the majority of its days in the trees with quick, safe movements and broad jumps among the limbs.
Emperor Tamarins live together in groups of two to eight animals. The oldest female leads the group above several mature males. The mutual grooming plays an important role for bonding and socializing. The animals often associate themselves with other tamarins like the Brown-mantled Tamarin. They with various cries which help them to promptly recognize interlopers.
The diet of the Emperor Tamrins is similar to that of other tamarins. They are omnivores, primarily eating fruits, insects and sap. They also eat bird eggs and small vertebrates (such as tree frogss). Due to their small weight they can reach food at the far end of branches, which are not accessible to heavier animals.
Emperor Tamarins live a polyandrous life, i.e. the mature female mates with all of the males of her harem. Gestation is 140 to 145 days, and births are typially twins (although triplets happen on occasion) as is typical of tamarins. All the males, father or not, help with the birth and care and support the young, carrying them and bringing them to the mother to nurse. At approximately three months they are weaned, and towards end of the second year they are fully mature. Their life expectancy is over 15 years.
There are two subspecies of Emperor Tamarins:
- Saguinus imperator imperator
- Saguinus imperator subgrisescens
