Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins

GOLDEN-HEADED LION TAMARINS

Family: Callitrichidae

Genus: Leontopithecus

Species: chrysomelas

Local Name: mico-leao-cara-dourada, or "little monkey-lion with the golden face"

Physical Appearance:What do you think golden-headed lion tamarins look like? These tamarins have golden fur on their heads, tails and arms and black bodies.

Geographic Range: Golden-headed lion tamarins reside in the southern state of Bahia in the largest reserve for tamarins 7,000 hectare Una Biological Reserve.
Biome:Tropical deciduous forest
Habitat:Rainforest of Eastern Brazil

IUCN Status: Endangered

Threats to Survival:Habitat destruction threatens the existence of golden-headed lion tamarins. Southern Bahia is the cocoa producing capital of Brazil, producing almost 90% of the countryUs crop. Cocoa farmers follow two methods of land preparation. They can either selectively cut trees, leaving about 10% of the forest intact or clear cut the entire area. Plants and animals that once lived in the rainforest can no longer thrive in the totally cleared area. When as little as 10% of the forest remains, some plants and animals have enough food and shelter to stay in the rainforest. Golden-headed lion tamarins re among the species that can survive in the cabruca, the partially cleared rainforest.

Conservation: Christina Alves, a researcher in Brazil is working with local cocoa to promote the co-existence of farmers and golden-headed lion tamarins by surveying the attitudes of local villagers about lion tamarins. She established a nature center dedicated to informing villagers about golden-head lion tamarins.
Learn more about tamarins... general information black faced lion tamarins golden lion tamarins golden headed lion tamarins Other Tamarins emperor tamarin Ask Dr. Claudio Padua about golden-headed lion tamarins. Member Artwork and Research What do black lion tamarins sound like? Use these controls to play the sound clip and adjust the volume. This is the "long call" that tamarins use to call each other.

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