Home › Mammalia › Callitrichidae › Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)
Saguinus
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Northwest Colombia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Tropical dry and moist forest
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Callitrichidae
GENUS
Saguinus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 26 cm + 40 cm tail; ~450 g
COLORATION
Brown body, white belly and a shock of white hair on the head
ADAPTATIONS
Lives in cooperative family groups; fathers carry the young
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Tropical dry and moist forest
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Northwest Colombia
REPRODUCTION
Usually twins raised by the whole group
DIET DETAILS
Fruit, insects and gum
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation, pet trade
💡 Interesting Facts
1
One of the most endangered primates in the Americas, found only in a small corner of Colombia.
2
Its punk-like white crest and huge vocal range make it a flagship for Colombian conservation.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Los Colorados Sanctuary
Tayrona National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Join a guided visit to dry-forest reserves at dawn; listen for high whistles and watch for the white crest in the canopy.
