Pied tamarin

Latin Name
Saguinus bicolor

Class
Mammals

Order
Primates

Description

Brown-and-white furred bodies are juxtaposed by bald, dark faces. Small bodies—hardly larger than squirrels—are juxtaposed by long tails.


 
Range

Brazilian rainforest, north of the Amazon River


Status

Endangered. Lincoln Park Zoo cooperatively manages pied tamarin populations with other institutions in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.


Habitat

As arboreal primates, pied tamarins live in the upper parts of trees within forests and swamps.


Niche

Pied tamarins live in social, multi-male/multi-female family groups. While they primarily eat fruits and flowers, they will gobble insects.


Life History

The vast majority of births are twins, born with fur, but helpless for a few weeks. Males provide much of the care for offspring, carrying the youngsters and feeding them once they wean.


Special Adaptations
  • Pied tamarins may help disperse plantlife by eating fruits and dropping their seeds.
  • They communicate audibly with whistles and chirps. They mark their scent throughout their territory. Visual signals are used, and pied tamarins employ complex tactile communication, primarily via social grooming.

Bonus Content

A pied tamarin poses on a house in the Helen Brach Primate House (Photo by Anita Yantz)

Animals Eat the Skyline at Chi-Cow-Go
The zoo celebrated Chicago’s 175th birthday with a bovine bash. The fun kicked off with the unveiling of a redesigned "Cows on Parade" statue before moving to the rest of the zoo with Chicago-themed animal enrichment.

 

ARKive Media

ARKive image - Adult Brazilian bare-faced tamarin carrying young on backARKive image - Male Brazilian bare-faced tamarin on branchARKive image - Brazilian bare-faced tamarin portrait

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Lincoln Park Zoo Exhibit

Helen Brach Primate House