Golden Lion Tamarin
Leontopithecus rosalia

Habitat: Mid to upper canopy areas of untouched (primary) tropical rainforests; lowland and coastal rainforest.

Range: Southeast Brazil

Natural Diet: Insects/spiders, snails, small lizards, small birds and eggs and fruit.

Status in the wild: Endangered

 

Fun Animal Facts

Golden-lion tamarins are named for their golden red manes reminiscent of
male African lions. Unlike the big cats, however, the color of these small
New World Monkeys is probably the result of their carotenoid-rich diet.
This species of tamarin has a very complex social structure, and family
groups have as many as 8 individuals that remain active for 12 hours a day.

Conservation: Habitat fragmentation is the biggest threat to wild Golden-lion tamarin populations, which is estimated to be between 1 and 2 thousand individuals. Only 5 percent of original Golden-lion tamarin habitat remains today.

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