Golden Lion Tamarin

Leontopithecus rosalia

THE GOLDEN INHABITANTS OF THE RAINFOREST

The golden lion tamarin is among the largest of the marmosets. In the zoo, it can be recognized by its golden fur, its dark, hairless face and, not least, the characteristic “lion’s mane” that frames its head.

The golden lion tamarin lives in family groups, which typically consist of an adult parent pair and several generations of cubs. A group usually contains between 2-16 individuals and contains both males and females, with males dominating over females. The members of the group spend a lot of time on mutual fur and dental care, which helps to strengthen social bonds and unity in the pack.

The species lives mainly at a height of 5-10 meters and likes to sleep in holes in trees. Golden lion tamarins are territorial and mark their territory by rubbing their anus against branches along the boundaries of the territory. Females do not participate in territorial marking during ovulation, which probably reduces the risk of attracting foreign males.

In most groups, only the most dominant female is allowed to breed. The female is pregnant for almost 130 days and can mate again around 10 days after giving birth. She typically gives birth to 1-2 cubs. After giving birth, the males in the group take over the main responsibility for caring for the cubs. This gives the female a better opportunity to find food and build up the energy reserves necessary for milk production. The female is therefore primarily with the cubs in connection with nursing. After about three months, the cubs are weaned and begin to increasingly interact with the other group members, where they practice social skills.

When the cubs approach sexual maturity, they usually leave their natal group to form new family groups. Since all cubs participate in caring for younger siblings and thereby gain experience with brood care and social behavior, they leave the group at the earliest when subsequent litters have become independent.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE GOLDEN LION TAMARINE

Gestation: 130-135 days
Habitat: Brazil, Atlantic rainforest
Diet: Fruit, nectar and small animals
Lifespan: 15 years
Weight: 710-795 g
Lenght: 26-33 cm

PURE BRAZILIAN

The golden lion tamarin is endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic coastal rainforest. Endemic means that the species is unique to this particular area and is found nowhere else in the world.

SHARP CLAWS ON THE FINGERS

Marmosets, which include the golden lion tamarin, are equipped with sharp claws on their fingers – with the exception of the thumb. The claws enable the monkeys to scratch holes in the branches of trees, and through them lick the delicious, juicy and sugary plant sap.

A SPECIES ON THE RISE

In the 1960s, it became apparent that the population of the golden lion tamarin was in serious decline – primarily due to hunting, the pet trade and clearing of the rainforest for agriculture. The World Organization of Zoological Gardens, WZO, wanted to put an end to this. Since then, zoos – and in particular Copenhagen Zoo – have worked together to strengthen the wild population, including by releasing individuals from the breeding partnership. This has ultimately helped to secure Brazil's wild population of the species.

Read more about the project

STATUS IN NATURE

Golden lion tamarin is endangered.

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