THE EMPEROR TAMARIN

THE EMPEROR TAMARIN(Saguinus imperator) is a small new world monkey, recognizable for its distinctive long, white mustache. It is thought the tamarin was named for the resemblance of its mustache to that of Germany’s Emperor Wilhelm II. Emperor tamarins live primarily in Amazon lowland and lower montane rain forests, seasonally flooded forests in southeast Peru, northwest Bolivia, and northwest Brazil. These tamarins spend most of their time in the trees in the lower and middle canopy above 10 meters (32 feet).

Emperor tamarins are approximately 9.2-10.4 inches in body length with a tail length of 14-16.6 inches. They are relatively light weight, reaching only between 10.7-14.2 oz at full size. The "Emperors" are mainly gray on their bodies, with a mixture of fine yellow hair on their backs and a rusty-red scattering of color on their breast. They also have a silvery brown crown, black hands and feet, and a reddish brown tail. Most characteristic of this species is its extremely long, white moustache that hangs down to its chest (and extends past its shoulders when laid back) in two strands. Like most tamarins, this species has claws on all of its fingers and toes except the great toe, which has a nail. The dental formula of emperor tamarins is (i2/2, c1/1, pm3/3, m2/2).

Tamarins are omnivores. During the wet season they feed on fruit and during the dry season, feed on flowers, nectar and tree sap. They eat insects all year round.

The emperor tamarin has several adaptations that make it well-suited for its arboreal habitat. They live communally in groups of up to 20 members. Like other tamarins and marmosets, emperor tamarins are small, making it easier for them to access food along the outer branches of trees where larger monkeys cannot go. They also have claws on all digits but their big toe and long tails that serve as an extra hand for moving along the trees.

The emperor tamarin has been known to live in mutualistic relationships with other tamarins. For example, in some areas, they are often found in mixed-species groups, sharing the same territory with groups of saddleback tamarin. The saddleback tamarin spends most of its time lower in the canopy than the emperor tamarin. Cooperation benefits both groups as the two tamarin species exchange vocalizations and can warn each other of threats from above or below.

Today the population of emperor tamarins is thought to be declining, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation as their forests are cleared for logging and cattle ranching. Some may also be threatened by capture for the illegal pet trade. The species is considered threatened in Brazil and Peru.

Video: https://youtu.be/UkwnQQTU-jk

Sources:http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Saguinus_imperator/