Scientific name: Saguinus imperator
Conservation status:
Life expectancy: 15-20 in the wild
Gestation period: 140-145 days
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Lifestyle and Location:
- There are 2 subspecies of emperor tamarins, the bearded emperor tamarin which lives in the rainforests of Brazil and Peru. The black-chinned emperor tamarin (with no beard) lives in the rainforests of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. (The picture at the top is of a bearded emperor tamarin because of its distinct beard)
- They live in groups of 2-8 individuals but has been recorded that the groups have been seen with up to 18 members.
Appearance:
The tamarin’s fur is predominantly grey with tiny yellow speckles on its chest. they have a brown tail and black hands and feet. And of course, as you can see by the picture, it has a wonderful long, white moustache which extends past their shoulders. It will reach a size of 23cm-26cm and a 35cm-41.5cm tail. and only weighs about 500 grams.
Joss‘s Facts
- The emperor tamarin got its name because it looked like German Emperor Wilhelm II.
- The elderly female is the leader of each troop of between 2 and 8 individuals.
- They have claws on each toe and finger, apart from one which has a nail, they use the claws for climbing trees and the nail for grooming.