Imperial tamarin is a small monkey belonging to the marmoset family. The family has more than 40 species of small monkeys, 17 of them belong to tamarines. But today I want to talk about absolutely amazing tailed babies with an unusual appearance. Restless and mischievous, they will definitely make you smile.
First meeting
Imperial tamarin was described relatively recently. When scientists showed the monkey, decorated with a chic white beard and mustache, they decided to joke, and said that the animals resemble the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Germany, William II. Especially if you tighten the mustache of the animal up. And, although the portrait resemblance ended there, the monkey received a high imperial title and became a popular home "toy".
Appearance
Since the main character of the article is imperial tamarin, the description of the animal will not be superfluous. The monkey is considered a dwarf species, since the length of their body does not exceed 25 cm. It weighs about 300 grams. But the mobile and tenacious tail can be longer than the body of the owner.
Despite his mobility and mischievous character, the imperial tamarine looks majestic and serious. The sweet prank of nature, which gave the species a beard and mustache, highlights the animals and attracts attention to them. But the coat color for babies is the most common: plain, 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, do not have nails on their hands, but sharp claws. The imperial tamarin uses this device for climbing trees.
It is hard to imagine a human woman who would be proud of a mustache and beard. But females of tamarins definitely see a reason for pride in these jewelry. The mustache and beards of females can grow to the abdomen, and they are happy to arrange collective hairdressers, combing and nibbling each other with the extra length of the pile. Collective care for a beard and mustache is a feature of family communication and the behavior of little primates.
Venue
It is logical to ask, where does the imperial tamarin meet? Where does this little miracle live? The distribution area of the species is tropical forests of South America. You can see a monkey in the natural environment by visiting, for example, Peru, Brazil or Bolivia.
Family hierarchy
Unlike many other monkey species, matriarchy reigns in the family of imperial tamarins. The oldest female becomes the head of the genus. The next social stage is reserved for younger females. And males are at the lowest level of the hierarchy. Their direct duty is to transfer the cubs from place to place and get food for the whole family.
A family usually consists of 10-15 animals. He leads a daily lifestyle and often moves along the crowns of trees. The family protects its territory from strangers. Any foreign imperial tamarin will be collectively expelled from the habitable 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 prey on other animals. The basis of the diet of imperial tamarins are various insects and fruits. Thanks to agility and tenacity, as well as a long and strong tail, small animals easily hold on thin branches of tree tops, reaching young shoots and buds. Often flowers are eaten, and bird eggs can be eaten as a delicacy.
Mating and breeding
Within families, stable pairs are not created. Imperial tamarines are polygamous animals. Females mate in turn, in accordance with the hierarchical position. Young individuals never mate before older girlfriends.
Pregnancy tamarins unexpectedly long for such babies. The average term is 45 days. Mom has 1 or 2 babies. Triplet is very rare. The first days the cubs are completely helpless. Their weight does not exceed 35 grams, but at the same time they already have a mustache and beard! Females feed babies every 2 hours, and in between, they ride on their fathers backs. At the same time, any cub of the flock can count on the care and attention of any male.
Babies reach a certain independence at 3 months, and at one and a half years they enter puberty. At this moment, imperial tamarin must make the most important choice in his life: to remain in the parental family or form his own family group.
Human influence
Today, the dream of many lovers of exotic animals is imperial tamarin. A photo of this animal conquers the heart, and its miniature size makes 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, because they are transported illegally, without creating the necessary conditions. This attitude could not but affect the number of mustachioed handsome men in nature. However, the most dangerous for small monkeys can be considered not an interest in home maintenance, but massive deforestation of tropical forests.
To date, this species of primates is not considered small or endangered, but it is classified as a vulnerable animal, as interest in them grows, and the natural habitat of the "emperors" is rapidly declining.