Leontopithecus
| Lion tamarins | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Callitrichidae |
| Genus: |
Leontopithecus Lesson, 1840 |
| Type species | |
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Leontopithecus makikina Lesson, 1840 = Simia rosalia Linnaeus, 1766 |
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| Species | |
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Leontopithecus rosalia |
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| Synonyms | |
|
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Leontopithecus rosalia
Leontopithecus chrysomelas
Leontopithecus chrysopygus
Leontopithecus caissara
The four species of lion tamarins make up the genus Leontopithecus. They are small New World monkeys named for the mane surrounding their face similar to the mane of a lion.
Living in the eastern rainforests of Brazil, like all other callitrichids they are arboreal. Lion tamarins weigh up to 900 grams (32 oz) and are about 30 cm (12 in) long, with tails about 45 cm (18 in) long. They jump through trees using their fingers to hold on to branches and their claws to dig under the bark to search for insects to eat. They also eat some snakes, small lizards and small fruits. All are endangered or critically endangered.
Lion tamarins tend to live in family groups, with both parents sharing different tasks of child-rearing the yearly twins. The mother nurses her young every two to three hours, and the father carries the babies on his back.
Diurnal tree-dwellers, they sleep in tree cavities at night, and also seek shelter during the hottest part of the day.
The different species of lion tamarins are easily discernible from each other, based upon the coloration of their fur:
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Wikipedia