Emperor Tamarins are very small, normally weighing less than 500g. These tiny primates are playful and friendly, with a speckled brown body that ends in a long, orange tail. Best known for their rather lengthy moustaches, Emperor Tamarins are even thought to be named after Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany who sported similar facial hair himself!
Variety is the spice of life for the omnivorous Emperor Tamarin, who eat a wide range of foods depending on what they can find throughout their forest homes. This can include fruits, flowers, sap, and sometimes even frogs, insects and small birds.
These mini monkeys breed seasonally when adequate food is available, with the dominant female usually giving birth to twins. The youngsters are then carried around by various members of the family group until they are about 70 days old.
The trees tops of tropical lowland forests across the Amazon in Brazil and Peru are home for the Emperor Tamarin. Sadly, wild populations are declining as their habitat is under threat from deforestation. Some animals are also sold as part of the illegal pet trade.
