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GOLDEN LION TAMARIN

Leontopithecus rosalia

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DESCRIPTION

With their vibrant, fiery orange fur, golden lion tamarins might seem like they would be easily spotted amidst the green tapestry of the rainforest. However, these small primates are masters of camouflage, skilfully blending into the dappled light and shifting shadows of the dense foliage. Their bright coats mimic the sunlit leaves and play of light in the forest canopy, allowing them to move swiftly and remain nearly invisible to potential predators and onlookers alike.

 

DIET

Golden lion tamarins have a diverse diet that reflects their adaptability and resourcefulness in the rainforest. They primarily eat fruits, flowers, and nectar, which provide essential sugars and nutrients. Insects, small lizards, and bird eggs also make up a significant portion of their diet, supplying the protein they need to thrive. With their agile fingers and sharp eyes, golden lion tamarins skillfully forage in crevices and among branches, often finding hidden insects or small vertebrates that many animals would overlook. This varied diet not only supports their energy needs but also helps them maintain a balanced intake of nutrients essential for their survival in the complex ecosystem of the rainforest.

 

ENDANGERMENT STATUS

Golden lion tamarins are endangered primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation in their native Brazilian rainforest. Over the years, large portions of their forest home have been cleared for agriculture, urban development, and logging, leaving only small, isolated patches of habitat. This fragmentation limits their range and disrupts their ability to find food, shelter, and mates, leading to smaller, more vulnerable populations. Additionally, tamarins are sometimes captured illegally for the pet trade, further reducing their numbers in the wild. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and reintroduction programs, are crucial for their survival, but with their restricted population and limited genetic diversity, golden lion tamarins remain at high risk of extinction if their habitat is not preserved and expanded.

FIND OUT MORE
OUR ANIMAL FAMILY
ANIMAL FACTS

GOLDEN LION TAMARIN

GROUP NAME

Troop

Native To

Brazilian Rainforest

SIZE

30cm to 38cm (including tail)

BABY NAME

Infant

Habitat

Golden lion tamarins live in the lush, tropical rainforests along Brazil’s Atlantic coast. They thrive in dense, moist, and warm forest environments filled with towering trees, thick undergrowth, and abundant foliage. These rainforests provide a complex, layered canopy where tamarins can find plenty of food, shelter, and safety from predators. They primarily inhabit the lower and middle levels of the forest canopy, where they forage and sleep in tree hollows or dense vegetation to stay hidden. Unfortunately, much of their native habitat has been lost to deforestation, resulting in small, fragmented forest patches. Conservation efforts focus on restoring and connecting these forest areas to provide golden lion tamarins with a larger, more continuous habitat essential for their survival and movement.

Did You Know?

Golden lion tamarins are incredibly family-oriented. They live in close-knit family groups, with parents, older siblings and even extended family members all helping to care for the newest babies. This cooperative care strengthens their bonds and improves the survival chances of the young.

Critical Role in Ecosystem - As small predators and fruit eaters, they play a significant role in the ecosystem by helping control insect populations and dispersing seeds, which aids in forest regeneration.

Super Agile Climbers – These little primates are incredibly nimble and can leap distances of up to 15 feet between branches. Their small size and agility make them expert climbers, allowing them to dart through the forest canopy in search of food and evade predators.

They Love Family Time – Golden lion tamarins are incredibly family-oriented. They live in close-knit family groups, with parents, older siblings, and even extended family members all helping to care for the newest babies. This cooperative care strengthens their bonds and improves the survival chances of the young.

They're Tiny "Lions" – Despite their name, golden lion tamarins are only about the size of a squirrel! Their striking orange mane resembles a lion's, giving them a royal look, but they weigh just around 1 to 2 pounds.

MEET OUR

ANIMAL FAMILY

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LION

Twin male lion cubs Kion and Duke bring double the fun during playtime. Always curious, they constantly try to pounce on Mum and Dad or practice their hunting skills on each other.

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WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA

The unmistakable bond between Grandma Kriba and baby Kaius since his reintroduction into the gorilla family has marked a significant milestone and a heartwarming journey for all to witness.

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Meerkats

Meerkats have a complex social structure where each meerkat has a role to play within the mob.

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GOLDEN LION TAMARIN

With a fiery orange coat, you’d think golden lion tamarins would stand out in the green canopy, but they remain incredibly elusive, blending seamlessly with the light and shadows of the dense foliage.

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This large and slender cheetah is distributed across more than 25 African countries, boasting a population of around 12,000.

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Red Panda

Red Pandas are predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular animals. They live in trees, making them arboreal.

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Spotted Hyena

The Spotted Hyena has a spotted coat and is the largest of the four hyena species

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SIAMANG GIBBON

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SOUTHERN WHITE RHINO

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TIGER (SUMATRAN TIGER)

You'll find Tigers living in a wide variety of habitats; tropical lowland evergreen forest, mountain forest, woodlands, tall grass jungle to dry thorn forest. Tigers cope with a broad range of climatic variation but prefer to hunt in dense vegetation.

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SILVERY GIBBON

Silvery Gibbons are a seriously endangered species , Mogo Zoo is proud to be involved in a Breeding Program which has managed to produce offspring

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Binturong

Binturongs, with their prehensile tails, dark fur, and mysterious demeanor, appear almost mythical, evoking a sense of enchantment and intrigue.

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RING-TAILED LEMUR

Ring Tiled Lemurs 'sun worship' which means they face their tummies to the sun and stretch their arms out wide to warm themselves up.

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