Tamarins are small New World monkeys found in Central and South America. Unlike other monkeys, they have claws on most of their toes instead of nails. They have very long tails and are arboreal, eating a wide variety of things, such as fruits, plants, and small animals.
Our guide in Colombia also found us a Cotton-top Tamarin, which is named for the shock of white hair that sits atop its head. The monkeys, nicknamed the cutest in South America, entertain researchers with their endless antics. However, Cotton-top Tamarins are among the most endangered primates in the world. They are found only in northwestern Colombia, and their tropical forest habitat is being destroyed for cattle ranching, agriculture, and urban development. Cotton-tops are also captured and illegally sold as pets.
