Fun Golden Lion Tamarin Facts For Kids

If you are looking for golden lion tamarin facts, then you are in the right place. Among the tamarins, the golden lion tamarins are extremely popular but sadly they are Endangered as well. The golden lion tamarin's scientific name is Leontopithecus rosalia. In the wild, the golden lion tamarins are restricted to the forest of Rio de Janeiro.

Referred to as the 'king of the New World jungle', golden lion tamarins stand out because of their lion-like appearance. Omnivores, their diet includes a range of food like fruits, spiders, other insects, and bird eggs in the wild. The golden lion tamarins are social beings with an average family group having five individuals. The breeding season for this tamarin species is mainly during the rainy season. In the wild, the golden lion tamarins lifespan is eight years while in captivity they can live for about 20 years. Several conservation efforts are taking place to protect these species from disappearing permanently!

Continue reading to discover cool facts about golden lion tamarin facts for kids. For more relatable content, check out these red-handed tamarin facts and Geoffroy's tamarin facts for kids.

What type of animal is a golden lion tamarin?

The golden lion tamarin, or the golden lion marmoset, is an Endangered tamarin species living in the lowland tropical forests of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

What class of animal does a golden lion tamarin belong to?

The golden lion belongs to the class Mammalia or mammals. Further, it belongs to the order of primates and the family Callitrichidae.

How many golden lion tamarins are there in the world?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there is 1,400 mature golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia). There are about 1,107 golden lion tamarins in the largest subpopulation. The golden lion tamarin conservation status improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered due to conservation efforts. However, this population is constantly threatened due to rampant habitat loss.

Where does a golden lion tamarin live?

The golden lion tamarins live in moist and humid tropical and subtropical rainforests. Rio de Janeiro and other coastal areas of Brazil, which are the native golden lion tamarin habitats experience about 59 in (1,500 mm) average rainfall every year. These native forests abound in many plant species like vines, epiphytes, and so on.

As part of conservation efforts, golden lion tamarins are also kept in zoos. The groups brought up in zoos are released in the natural habitat as part of the re-introduction efforts to boost the wild population.

What is a golden lion tamarin's habitat?

When it comes to habitat, the golden lion tamarins reside in the lowland seasonal rainforest near the Atlantic coast in southeastern Brazil. These rainforests are seasonal with the summers being hot and humid and winters being dry and cool.

The highly adaptable nature of golden lion tamarins gives them the ability to survive in secondary and degraded forests as well. As long as the golden lion tamarin habitat has a year-round food supply, the golden lion can adjust itself.

Who do golden lion tamarins live with?

The small golden lion is a highly social primate species. The wild population lives in extended family groups with four to eight individuals. The family unit will consist of the main breeding pair, baby golden lion tamarin monkey, and other extended members.

The most common golden lion tamarin behavior is grooming, which helps strengthen the bond between the family group. You will also find golden lion tamarins playing and jumping from one tree to another.

Even though golden lion tamarins are social, they are also very territorial. One family group can have a territory ranging from 98.8-247.1 acres (40-100 ha). According to a study, two factors: predation and reproductive requirements play a critical role in determining the home range for golden lion tamarins. When an intruder is spotted, the golden lion group will behave aggressively. The golden males and females will start baring their teeth and making high-pitched shrieks. This behavior is also exhibited by the family groups to project excitement or fear. Territory fights between males can also lead to death.

How long does a golden lion tamarin live?

The golden lion tamarin lifespan ranges between 8-20 years. It is possible for the Endangered species to survive 20 years when the individuals are in the care of humans. However, the first year of the golden lion tamarins is the harshest. It is estimated that 50% of babies do not survive the first year.

How do they reproduce?

Golden lion tamarin families tend to have one dominant female who mates with the golden male. Females achieve sexual maturity by 18 months and for males, it takes two years. The females can reproduce once or twice yearly. September to November and January to March are the two breeding periods. The gestation period is about five months, after which the golden lion females will give birth to twins. After birth, the litter is taken care of by both males and females in the group. The golden lion babies are primarily raised and nurtured by adult males. Females only nurse the babies. Five weeks after the birth of twins, the golden lion tamarins will start exploring and will be weaned by three months.

What is their conservation status?

According to the IUCN Red List, golden lion tamarins are an Endangered species. Constant conservation initiatives resulted in the golden lion tamarins whose scientific name is Leontopithecus rosalia to move from Critically Endangered into Endangered in 2003. However, the wild population of this species faces serious threats due to habitat loss. The golden lion tamarin Endangered status is also due to fragmentation of the primary forest due to residential and commercial development, development of transport corridors, and agriculture.

Scientists believe that at least 2,000 individuals of this tamarin species need to live in the forest to come out of the Red List of Threatened Species by 2025. While there have been quite a few initiatives taken to increase the number of the species, the efforts need to be ramped up before the species population reaches a point of no return.

What do golden lion tamarins look like?

The golden lion tamarin is an attractive primate species found in Brazil. To assist in their movement, the primates have long fingers and claws. These golden lion tamarin adaptations help them to hold and jump from one tree branch to another. But it is their bright and thick red and orange mane that makes this wild species stand out. Both males and females will have this shaggy mane, so do not differ in size or looks. The color of this primate's tail can be black, brown, and orange. The face is devoid of hair and black in color. The soles of the primates are leathery in texture and again black in color.

How cute are they?

Yes, these primates look very cute because of their shaggy orange appearance. This is especially true for young individuals. Their size also contributes to this cute image.

How do they communicate?

When golden lion tamarins spot predators or intruders in their habitat, they communicate by shrieking loudly. The shrieks alert the groups of the presence of golden lion tamarin predators. They have different vocalizations for different types of predators. Open mouths, staring and stretched bodies are the behavior exhibited by the species to show aggression and fear.

How big is a golden lion tamarin?

Size-wise, this is the largest primate among other tamarins and marmosets like the pygmy marmoset. However, when compared to other primates, this group is small. The golden lion tamarins have a body size that is around 8-13 in (20.3-33 cm) while its tail is about 12-15 in (30.5-38.1 cm) in length.

How fast can a golden lion tamarin run?

Golden lion tamarins have some adaptations like long fingers and claws that allow them to move and run quadrupedally |(using all four limbs). It is estimated that they run at 24 mph (38.6 kph).

How much does a golden lion tamarin weigh?

The golden lion tamarin is a small primate species. This wild animal weighs around 19.4-24.5 oz (550-700 g) making them lighter than even the macaque monkey and the squirrel monkey.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Both male and female members of the golden tamarin groups are referred to in the same way.

What would you call a baby golden lion tamarin?

There is no special name for a baby golden lion tamarin.

What do they eat?

The golden lion tamarin diet includes a mix of fruits and insects like spiders and bugs. Research shows their diet includes some 60 plants. After eating the food, they disperse the fruit seeds, which help maintain the ecology of the habitat. Those breeding in captivity, consume a variety of food like carrots, green beans, mealworms, and hard-boiled eggs.

Fun fact, they use their special claws to remove insects and invertebrates hidden in the many cracks in a tree. Being social, the tamarins are open to sharing their food within their group, but not so with outsiders.

Are they aggressive?

Yes, the golden lion tamarins exhibit aggression when they come across predators. They use scent to mark their range and shriek loudly to advertise and alert others of the presence of the predator or intruder. Fights between same-sex members can turn violent and in extreme cases lead to death.

Would they make a good pet?

No, they won't. These wild animals should not be domesticated. Fun fact, in the 17th century, ladies in Europe used to keep golden lion tamarins as pets.

Did you know...

Golden lion tamarins are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night.

Golden lion tamarins sleep in tree holes at night to protect themselves from predators.

Wild cats and birds of prey are the predators of this group of primates.

32% of the wild population declined due to the spread of yellow fever and mosquito-borne ailment.

How much does a golden lion tamarin cost?

Golden lion tamarins are animals that are only found in the wild and zoos across the world. It is illegal to buy one.

Does a tamarin have a tail?

Yes, the golden tamarin has a tail that is twice as long as the body. However, unlike other new world primates, it does not have a prehensile tail. The tail does not assist them in holding on to a tree branch and any other kind of movement.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our pied tamarin surprising facts and emperor tamarin interesting facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable golden-headed lion tamarin coloring pages.

Second image by Steve from Washington DC, USA.