Emperor Tamarin
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Genus
SPECIES
Saguinus imperator
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
20 years
Top speed
40
25
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
220-900
7.8-31.7
goz
g oz 
Length
23-26
9.1-10.2
cminch
cm inch 

The small Emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is probably the most adorable species of tamarin. This New World monkey is euphoniously called due to its long and white-colored mustache, which is very similar to that of Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany.

Di

Diurnal

Om

Omnivore

Ar

Arboreal

Al

Altricial

Sc

Scansorial

Vi

Viviparous

Te

Territorial

Po

Polyandry

Do

Dominance hierarchy

Hi

Highly social

No

Not a migrant

E

starts with

Cu

Cute Animals
(collection)

Appearance

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 beard, which extends to both sides beyond the shoulders. They are very small, compared to most other primates. Using their claws, they cling to tree branches, maintaining a consistent verticality in the jungle environment.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

Emperor tamarins are endemic to the southwestern part of the Amazon Basin, occurring in southeast Peru, northwest Bolivia, and northwest Brazil. The population in Peru is mainly found in Acre, Purus, Jurua, and other river drainages. The ideal habitat for this species is the lowland tropical rainforest, where the animals inhabit the tree canopy of river basins. Other suitable types of habitat include lower montane rainforests, seasonally flooded forests, fringes of remnant and secondary forests, evergreen forests, and broadleaf forests.

Emperor Tamarin habitat map

Climate zones

Emperor Tamarin habitat map

Habits and Lifestyle

The Emperor tamarins are diurnal animals, which are active during the daytime hours. These approachable, playful and highly social creatures form units of up to 15 individuals with an average of 2-8. A typical group is made up of a breeding pair with their young of the past several years as well as migratory adult individuals, which are not related to the family. These animals display some territorial behavior, giving out certain calls, intended to announce their presence and define boundaries of their home ranges. Community members sleep together, typically in large, detached trees. These agile primates are known to move between trees by very quick leaps. Vocalizations are an important part of their communication system. These include cries, which help them recognize friends, foes, and interlopers. The Emperor tamarins also commonly practice social grooming, which is believed to enhance relationships between group members.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

As omnivores, the Emperor tamarins consume food of both plant and animal origin from fruits, flowers, nectar, sap, and gum to frogs, snails, insects as well as occasional small birds.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round in captivity, April-July in the wild
PREGNANCY DURATION
140-145 days
BABY CARRYING
2 infants
INDEPENDENT AGE
15-25 weeks
FEMALE NAME
female
MALE NAME
male
BABY NAME
infant

The Emperor tamarins exhibit a polyandrous mating system, where each dominant female breeds with multiple males. While captive individuals don't have a defined breeding season, those in the wild generally mate in April-May. Two babies are born after 140-145 days of gestation. Since these animals practice communal care, all members of their group, including adult individuals of both genders as well as older siblings, help rear the infants. Males are generally busy grooming the infants, whereas females have to clean the babies. The young tamarins start moving independently at 2-5 weeks old. They begin taking solid food at 4-7 weeks old. Complete weaning occurs within 15-25 weeks after birth. The age of reproductive maturity is 2 years old.

Population

Population threats

The biggest threat to the population of this species is the destruction of their forest habitat as a result of the large-scale construction of major roads between Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. On the other hand, Emperor tamarins suffer from human development in a form of cattle ranching and logging. Localized threats include capture for the pet trade in some parts of their range.

Population number

According to IUCN, the Emperor tamarin is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but its numbers are decreasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Emperor Tamarins closely cooperate and share their habitat with Saddleback tamarins. The former species inhabits higher levels of the forest canopy, while the latter lives in the lower levels. Both of these animals watch for threats and help each other escape predators. Additionally, Emperor tamarins occasionally throw food to the lower levels of the canopy, evidently sharing it with the Saddleback tamarins.
  • Group members are known to emit hisses, trills, and long chirps to display threat or dominance to each other.
  • This species is so called due to the similarity of its mustache to that of Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany. When playing with these primates, taxidermists often twisted up their mustaches (which usually droop), making the animals similar to the Emperor. Goeldi, a Swiss zoologist, was the first to call these tamarins 'emperors' in jest. As a result, Emperor tamarins are now known by this ironic name. Additionally, they got the Latin name "Saguinas imperator".
  • The fingers and toes of the Emperor tamarins are equipped with claws, except for their halluces, which exhibit nails.
  • Most females of this species (about 2/3) display trichromacy, an ability to recognize 3 colors, helping them find ripe fruits, which compose an important part of their diet. All other individuals are dichromats, seeing 2 colors. However, they can still spot prey and camouflaged predators.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Emperor Tamarin Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_tamarin
2. Emperor Tamarin on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39948/0

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