The white-lipped tamarin (Saguinus labiatus), the red-bellied tamarin
White-lipped tamarin видео
The white-lipped tamarin (Saguinus labiatus), also known as the red-bellied tamarin, is a tamarin which lives in the Amazon area of Brazil and Bolivia.
Distribution and appearance
Saguinus labiatus is a platyrrhine primate belonging to the family Callitrichidae. Saguinus labiatus is widespread in South America, mainly in Brazil and Peru within the Neotropical Biogeographic Region. It inhabits tropical swamp, primary and secondary forests.
Saguinus labiatus is a small monkey: its body length reaches 23-30 cm and tail length 34-41 cm. The most conspicuous distinguishing features of this species are the white hairs around the lips and nose and the bright reddish or orange hairs on the abdomen, which may extend to the chest. The forelimbs of this primate are shorter than the hind limbs; all toes except the thumb have claws instead of nails.
Social behaviour and reproduction
Saguinus labiatus live in close-knit groups of 4 to 15 animals (but 2 to 8 members in a group is most common). Group members use chirps to inform each other of the whereabouts of the enemy and to warn of other dangers. They sleep together in a dense tangle of branches near the fork of a tree 12-18 m above the ground, or in hollows.
The peak breeding season for Saguinus labiatus is between October and December. All pups in a group are usually offspring of the same breeding pair. The dominant female releases pheromones that inhibit ovulation in other females. Pregnancy lasts 140-150 days, after which the twins are usually born, weighing about 40 g each. They are exclusively breastfed for up to 5 weeks, after which they begin to try solid food. At 16 weeks of age, the young are fully adult and become fully independent by the age of 1 to 2 years. The cubs are usually carried by their father or a related male. The other members of the group also carry the young, but less frequently, and almost all members of the group leave food scraps for the young.
There are three subspecies:
- Saguinus labiatus labiatus;
- Saguinus labiatus rufiventer;
- Thomas' moustached tamarin, Saguinus labiatus thomasi.
