Monkey Imperial Tamarin: Species Species, Habitat, Nutrition

Imperial tamarin is a small monkey that belongs to the family of gambling. The family includes more than 40 species of small monkeys, 17 of them are tamarins. But today I want to tell you about absolutely amazing tailed babies with an unusual appearance. Unsettled and mischievous, they will surely make you smile.

The first meeting

The imperial tamarin was described relatively recently. When the scientists were shown a monkey decorated with a smart white beard and mustache, they decided to joke, and said that the animals resemble the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Germany Wilhelm II. Especially if you twist the mustache of an animal up. And, although the portrait resemblance on this ended, the monkey received a high imperial title and became a popular home "toy."

Appearance

Since the main character of the article is the imperial tamarin, the description of the animal will not be superfluous. Monkey is referred to as dwarf species, since their body length does not exceed 25 cm. It weighs about 300 grams. But the mobile and tenacious tail can be longer than the body of the host.

Despite the mobility and mischievous nature, the imperial tamarin looks majestic and serious. A sweet prank of nature, giving a beard and a mustache to the mind , singles out animals and draws attention to them. But the color of the wool in children is the most common: monophonic, brown or almost black. On the chest and head, "noble" gray hairs can slip. Wool can have a light copper or golden tint.

Surprisingly, small primates, unlike their relatives, have on their hands not fingernails, but sharp claws. This device is used by the imperial tamarin to climb trees.

It's hard to imagine a human woman who would be proud of a mustache and beard. But females of tamarins definitely see in these ornaments an occasion for pride. The whiskers and beards of females can grow to the abdomen, and they gladly arrange a collective hairdressing saloon, combing and nibbling each other's extra length of nap. Collective care for the beard and mustache - a feature of family communication and behavior of small primates.

Meeting point

It is logical to ask where the imperial tamarin meets? Where does this little miracle live? The species distribution range is tropical forests of South America. You can see a monkey in a natural environment by visiting, for example, Peru, Brazil or Bolivia.

Family hierarchy

Unlike many other species of monkeys, the family of imperial tamarins is matriarchy. The head of the genus is the oldest female. The next social level is reserved for younger women. And the males are at the lowest level of the hierarchy. Their direct duty is to carry the cubs from place to place and to procure food for the whole family.

The family usually consists of 10-15 animals. He leads a daily life and often moves around the trees. The family protects its territory from strangers. Any extraneous imperial tamarin will be collectively expelled from the inhabited place. By the way, the territory is usually quite extensive. Each family has up to 50 hectares of its own forest.

Daily menu

It would be strange to assume that these little creatures hunt other animals. The basis of the diet of the imperial tamarins are various insects and fruits. Thanks to dexterity and tenacity, and also a long and strong tail, small animals easily keep on thin branches of tree tops, reaching up to young shoots and kidneys. Often in the food are flowers, and as a delicacy can be eaten bird eggs.

Mating and reproduction

Within the families, stable pairs are not created. Imperial tamarins are polygamous animals. The females mate in turn, in accordance with the hierarchical position. Young individuals never mate before older adult friends.

Pregnancy of tamarins is unexpectedly long for such babies. The average term is 45 days. Mom appears 1 or 2 kids. Very rarely there is a triplet. The first days of the cubs are completely helpless. Their weight does not exceed 35 grams, but they already have a mustache and beard! Females feed the kids every 2 hours, and in between they ride on the backs of their fathers. At the same time, any young flock can count on the care and attention of any male.

A certain independence children reach in 3 months, and in one and a half year they enter into sexual maturity. At this point, the imperial tamarin must make the most important choice in his life: stay in a parent family or form his own family group.

Human influence

Today, the dream of many lovers of exotic animals is the imperial tamarin. The photo of this animal conquers the heart, and its miniature dimensions make the animal suitable for home keeping. Kids get used to the owners and love affection, but many of them suffer or even die during transportation, since they are transported illegally, without creating the necessary conditions. Such an attitude could not but affect the number of moustached handsome men in nature. However, the most dangerous for small monkeys can be considered not to be an interest in home content, but mass cutting of tropical forests.

To date, this species of primates is not considered small or endangered, but it is referred to vulnerable animals, as interest in them grows, and the natural habitat of the "emperors" is rapidly declining.