The imperial tamarin is a small monkey belonging to the marmoset family. The family includes more than 40 species of undersized monkeys, 17 of them belong to tamarins. But today I want to talk about absolutely amazing tailed babies with an unusual appearance. Restless and mischievous, they are sure to make you smile.
First meeting
The imperial tamarin has been described relatively recently. When the scientists were shown a monkey adorned with a chic white beard and mustache, they decided to joke and said that the animals resemble the King of Prussia and German Emperor Wilhelm II. Especially if you twist the mustache of the animal up. And, although the portrait resemblance ended there, the monkey received a high imperial title and became a popular domestic "toy".
Appearance
Since the main character of the article is the imperial tamarin, a description of the animal will not be superfluous at all. The monkey is classified as a dwarf species, since their body length does not exceed 25 cm. It weighs about 300 grams. But the mobile and tenacious tail can be longer than the host's body.
Despite mobility and naughtycharacter, the imperial tamarin looks majestic and serious. The cute prank of nature, which gave the look a beard and mustache, highlights the animals and draws attention to them. But the coat color in babies is the most common: plain, brown or almost black. “Noble” gray hairs can slip on the chest and head. Wool may have a slight copper or golden sheen.
Surprisingly, small primates, unlike their relatives, do not have nails on their hands, but sharp claws. This device is used by the emperor tamarin to climb trees.
It's hard to imagine a human woman who would be proud of her mustache and beard. But female tamarins definitely see these decorations as a reason for pride. Mustaches and beards of females can grow to the abdomen, and they are happy to arrange collective barbershops, combing and nibbling each other's extra length of pile. Collective grooming of beards and mustaches is a feature of family communication and behavior of small primates.
Meeting point
It is logical to wonder where the emperor tamarin is found? Where does this little miracle live? The distribution area of the species is the tropical forests of South America. You can see a monkey in its natural environment by visiting, for example, Peru, Brazil or Bolivia.
Family hierarchy
Unlike many other species of monkeys, matriarchy reigns in the emperor tamarin family. The oldest female becomes the head of the genus. The next social step is assigned to younger females. And the males standat the lowest level of the hierarchy. Their direct duty is to carry the cubs from place to place and get food for the whole family.
A family usually consists of 10-15 animals. It leads a diurnal lifestyle and often moves along the crowns of trees. The family protects its territory from strangers. Any foreign emperor tamarin will be collectively expelled from the habitable place. By the way, the territory is usually quite extensive. Each family has up to 50 hectares of their own forest.
Daily menu
It would be strange to assume that these little creatures prey on other animals. The basis of the diet of imperial tamarins are various insects and fruits. Thanks to dexterity and tenacity, as well as a long and strong tail, small animals are easily kept on thin branches of treetops, reaching young shoots and buds. Flowers are often eaten, and bird eggs can be eaten as a delicacy.
Mating and reproduction
Stable couples are not created within families. Emperor tamarins are polygamous animals. Females mate in turn, in accordance with the hierarchical position. Juveniles never mate before older females.
Pregnancy of tamarins is unexpectedly long for such babies. The average term is 45 days. Mommy has 1 or 2 babies. Triplets are very rare. The first days the cubs are completely helpless. Their weight does not exceed 35 grams, but at the same time they already have a mustache andbeard! Females feed the babies every 2 hours, and in between they ride on the backs of their fathers. At the same time, any cub of the pack can count on the care and attention of any male.
Babies reach a certain independence at 3 months, and at a year and a half they enter puberty. At this point, the emperor tamarin must make the most important choice of his life: stay with his family of origin or form his own family group.
Human Influence
Today, the dream of many exotic animal lovers is the imperial tamarin. The photo of this animal wins the heart, and its miniature size makes the animal suitable for home keeping. Toddlers get used to their owners and love affection very much, but many of them suffer or even die during transportation, because they are transported illegally, without creating the necessary conditions. Such an attitude could not but affect the number of mustachioed beauties in nature. However, the most dangerous thing for little monkeys can be considered not an interest in home maintenance, but the massive deforestation of tropical forests.
Today, this species of primates is not considered small or endangered, but it is classified as vulnerable animals, as interest in them grows, and the natural habitat of the "emperors" is rapidly declining.
