One of the 2 tamarins on WAnimals
Mammals · Primates · Callitrichidae
Golden Lion Tamarin
Leontopithecus rosalia
It faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. See full glossary
Its striking golden mane, the product of sunlight and of carotenoids in its diet, gives the species its name. Only the group's dominant female breeds, chemically suppressing the fertility of the others through pheromones.
Weight
620 g – 700 g
Size
26 cm – 33 cm
Lifespan
12 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Family group
Lives in small family groups with close bonds.
Sighting difficulty
Hard
Estimated population
Around 2,000-2,500 animals in the remnants of Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro, against fewer than 200 in the 1970s.
Fun facts
- Its bright golden mane gives the species its name.
- Only the group's dominant female breeds, suppressing the fertility of the others with pheromones.
- It usually bears twins, which is the rule in this species.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
- Habitat & environment
- Fragments of lowland and swamp Atlantic forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Birth weight
- 55.3 grams
- Size at birth
- Well developed, fully furred and with its eyes open at birth
- Sexual maturity
- Female: 18 months | Male: 24 months
- Gestation / incubation
- 126-135 days (~4.2 months)
- Litter / clutch size
- 2 young per litter (twins, the rule in this species), up to twice a year
- Lifespan in captivity
- Documented record of up to 31.6 years in captivity
Sources consulted: AnAge; Marwell Zoo; Animal Diversity Web; New England Primate Conservancy; Zoo Atlanta; Animalia.bio; National Geographic; Smithsonian National Zoo; Primate Info Net
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapBest time: All year round at the Poço das Antas and União reserves, in Rio de Janeiro, by day, in the midstorey.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Golden Lion Tamarin — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Northern Pygmy Marmoset
Cebuella pygmaea
Common Marmoset
Callithrix jacchus
Emperor Tamarin
Saguinus imperator
Common Woolly Monkey
Lagothrix lagothricha
Black Spider Monkey
Ateles chamek
EndangeredGiant Otter
Pteronura brasiliensis
How to help
The golden lion tamarin is classified as endangered. Organizations such as UICN, WWF y Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programs is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about golden lion tamarin.
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