Red-Handed Tamarin
Saguinus midas
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The red-handed tamarin, given this name because of the red hair located on its hands and feet, lives in the rainforests north of the Amazon River in the countries of Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and possibly Venezuela. They are also commonly known as golden-handed tamarins and Midas tamarins. In recent years, their habitat has begun to shrink due to deforestation. As the rainforest continues to be cleared for greater human use, the range of these primates will grow smaller.
The red-handed tamarin, given this name because of the red hair located on its hands and feet, lives in the rainforests north of the Amazon River in the countries of Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and possibly Venezuela. They are also commonly known as golden-handed tamarins and Midas tamarins. In recent years, their habitat has begun to shrink due to deforestation. As the rainforest continues to be cleared for greater human use, the range of these primates will grow smaller.
Red-handed tamarin geographic range. Map credit: Oona Räisänen & IUCN/Creative Commons
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What Does It Mean?
Deforestation:
The permanent cutting, clearing, and removal of trees to convert forest land for other use, such as pasture, cropland, or plantations. Pheromone: A chemical that an animal produces which changes the behavior of another animal of the same species. Sexual dimorphism: Distinct difference in size or appearance between the sexes of an animal in addition to difference between the reproductive organs themselves. New World monkey: Monkeys native to Central and South America. |
Size, Weight, and Lifespan
Red-handed tamarins grow to be around 7–12 in (18–30 cm) and weigh around 14-19 oz (400–550 g).
In the wild, this New World primate lives to be about 10 years old, on average.
Red-handed tamarins grow to be around 7–12 in (18–30 cm) and weigh around 14-19 oz (400–550 g).
In the wild, this New World primate lives to be about 10 years old, on average.
Appearance
Red-handed tamarins have predominantly black hair, which is noticeably longer around the tops of their heads. A truly stunning aspect of these primates is the red hair on their hands and feet. It almost looks as if they are wearing gloves and shoes. They have claws on every digit except their big toe, which has a flattened nail characteristic of other primates. In addition to this, their thumbs are not opposable due to the lack of a saddle joint. Near their mid-chest and around their genitalia, they possess specialized scent glands, which are used to mark their territory and provide information regarding identity and sexual receptivity of individuals. There are no obvious signs of sexual dimorphism between males and females.
Red-handed tamarins have predominantly black hair, which is noticeably longer around the tops of their heads. A truly stunning aspect of these primates is the red hair on their hands and feet. It almost looks as if they are wearing gloves and shoes. They have claws on every digit except their big toe, which has a flattened nail characteristic of other primates. In addition to this, their thumbs are not opposable due to the lack of a saddle joint. Near their mid-chest and around their genitalia, they possess specialized scent glands, which are used to mark their territory and provide information regarding identity and sexual receptivity of individuals. There are no obvious signs of sexual dimorphism between males and females.
Diet
Red-handed tamarins are omnivorous, and enjoy a varied diet of both plants and animals. The majority of their diet consists of insects, ripe fruits, and plant exudates such as sap or gum. They also dine on spiders, other small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards, and birds’ eggs.
Red-handed tamarins are omnivorous, and enjoy a varied diet of both plants and animals. The majority of their diet consists of insects, ripe fruits, and plant exudates such as sap or gum. They also dine on spiders, other small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards, and birds’ eggs.
Behavior and Lifestyle
These primates are arboreal within their jungle home, spending most of their time in trees leaping among the various vines and branches the rainforest provides them with. The claws on their hands and feet grip firmly on branches and other foliage, allowing them to remain secure while traveling from tree to tree, sometimes over 50 feet above the ground. These primates are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and they enjoy sleeping in the safety of the treetops during nighttime.
These primates are arboreal within their jungle home, spending most of their time in trees leaping among the various vines and branches the rainforest provides them with. The claws on their hands and feet grip firmly on branches and other foliage, allowing them to remain secure while traveling from tree to tree, sometimes over 50 feet above the ground. These primates are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and they enjoy sleeping in the safety of the treetops during nighttime.
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Daily Life and Group Dynamics
Very social, the red-handed tamarin lives in groups ranging from 4 to 15 members. They are led by the eldest female and the troop is comprised of predominantly male members. Group composition is mixed in regard to age and sex. The territory of each group is usually around 24.7 acres (10 ha), and used for foraging, shelter, and raising young. There is little aggression displayed between members of the same group, even among breeding males. Similar to other matriarchal primates, there is much more evidence of cooperation and tolerance among individuals than in patriarchal primate species. Communication
Red-handed tamarins mostly communicate through a series of vocalizations. Their facial expressions are less diverse than those of some primates. Scent marking are useful means of communication during threat displays and breeding. Reproduction and Family
Breeding season typically occurs between the months of April and July. During this time, only one female within a group will breed. They are polyandrous, with the female mating with multiple males. The reason that only one female mates during the breeding season is due to the suppression of reproductive activity within the non-dominant females. This is a result of two factors: first, the inhibitory behavior from the dominant female; and second, the loss of ovulatory capacity by the subordinate females that is caused by pheromones emitted by the dominant breeding female. Care of the young is a group responsibility, with males and females being responsible for the care of the infants when they are not being suckled by their mother. |
Fun FactsRed-handed tamarins are superb jumpers, capable of jumping 60 feet from trees to the ground. They’re able to accomplish this due in part to the fact that their remarkable joints are able to absorb the shock from their fall. Despite their small size, red-handed tamarins are territorial and more than capable of displaying aggression when threatened. They possess sharp canines as well as the claws located on their hands and feet, which are perfect for defense. When one member of the group is threatened, all members rush to aid the tamarin in distress. |
Photo credit: Dmitirj Rodionov/Creative Commons
Ecological Role
By carrying and eating fruit, red-handed tamarins unknowingly help plants disperse their seeds as they travel. As a result, seeds are planted further away from the mother plant than if they had just been dropped to the ground. This helps forests to grow and prevents overcrowding among vegetation. These monkeys are also avid insect-eaters, helping to keep insect populations in control. Every animal contributes to the ecological balance of their habitat; the red-handed tamarin is no exception.
By carrying and eating fruit, red-handed tamarins unknowingly help plants disperse their seeds as they travel. As a result, seeds are planted further away from the mother plant than if they had just been dropped to the ground. This helps forests to grow and prevents overcrowding among vegetation. These monkeys are also avid insect-eaters, helping to keep insect populations in control. Every animal contributes to the ecological balance of their habitat; the red-handed tamarin is no exception.
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Conservation Status and Threats
The red-handed tamarins is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2015). However, the continued destruction of the tropical rainforests of South America presents a threat to future populations. In addtion, their tails are used for ornamentations. Due to their small size, their list of predators is quite vast. Animals such as wild cats, snakes, dogs, and birds of prey may make a meal out of them if given the chance. In addition to these predators, humans also pose a threat to their survival through the destruction of their habitat. Conservation Efforts
Protected areas within their geographical range contribute to their continued survival rate. Areas such as the Cabo Orange National Park in Brazil, Brownsberg Nature Park in Suriname, and the Wai Wai Community-owned Conservation Area in Guyana aid the tamarin through the protection of land. |
References:
- https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Saguinus_midas/
- https://a-z-animals.com/animals/red-handed-tamarin/
- http://animalia.bio/red-handed-tamarin
- https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/zoo/meet-the-zoo-animals/red-handed-tamarin/
- https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/tamarin-monkeys/
- https://www.dwazoo.com/animal/red-handed-tamarin/
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41525/17932579#conservation-actions
Written by Brendan McCarthy, May 2019
