Lion tamarin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lion tamarins |
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| Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Callitrichidae |
| Genus: | Leontopithecus Lesson, 1840 |
| Type species | |
| Leontopithecus makikina |
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| Species | |
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Leontopithecus rosalia |
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| Synonyms | |
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Lion tamarins are a group of four small monkey species. They are called "lion tamarins" because they have a thick mane of fur around their faces. This mane looks a bit like a lion's mane! These monkeys belong to a group of animals called Leontopithecus.
Contents
What are Lion Tamarins Like?
Lion tamarins live in the rainforests of eastern Brazil. They are arboreal, which means they spend almost all their time living in trees.
- These small monkeys weigh up to 900 grams (about 2 pounds).
- They are about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long, not including their tail.
- Their tails are quite long, about 45 centimeters (18 inches).
Lion tamarins are very good at moving through trees. They use their long fingers to hold onto branches. They also use their claws to dig under tree bark. This helps them find insects to eat. They also enjoy eating small snakes, tiny lizards, and various fruits.
Sadly, all four species of lion tamarins are either endangered or critically endangered. This means they are at high risk of disappearing forever. One big reason for this is that humans have built on or cut down much of their forest home.
Lion Tamarin Family Life
Lion tamarins usually live in family groups. Both parents work together to raise their young. Female lion tamarins typically give birth to twins each year.
- The mother feeds her babies milk every two to three hours.
- The father helps by carrying the babies on his back. This allows the mother to rest and find food.
These monkeys are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They sleep at night inside holes in trees. They also look for shelter in these tree cavities during the hottest parts of the day.
Different Types of Lion Tamarins
It's easy to tell the different species of lion tamarins apart. You can tell them apart by the color of their fur!
| Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Where They Live | What They Look Like |
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Leontopithecus rosalia | Golden lion tamarin | Southeastern Brazil | Has golden fur all over its body. Sometimes its mane can be darker or black. |
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Leontopithecus chrysomelas | Golden-headed lion tamarin | Bahia, Brazil | Has black fur on its body, but its face, arms, and tail are golden. |
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Leontopithecus chrysopygus | Black lion tamarin or golden-rumped lion tamarin | São Paulo, Brazil | Has black fur all over, but its rump (bottom) is a dark gold color. |
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Leontopithecus caissara | Superagui lion tamarin or black-faced lion tamarin | Southeastern Brazil | Has golden fur on its body, but its face, arms, and tail are black. |
See also
In Spanish: Tamarinos león para niños
