We have a family group of three Cotton Top Tamarins. Ginger & Darwin are parents to Squints. This cute family group has just been built a new outside enclosure. You can watch them exploring at our main primate house.

These Tamarins live in wet and dry forests in Colombia & Panama.

In the wild Cotton Top Tamarins eat fruit, seeds, gums and animal prey including insects, mice & birds. 

These little Tamarins are highly social, forming troops of up to 19 individuals with 3-9 on average. Each group has a dominant male & female with their offspring of the year as well as a few sub-ordinate or young individuals, which serve as ‘helpers’. They are highly territorial and use scent marking to establish the boundaries of their home ranges. 
The dominant male & female are a monogamous breeding pair, meaning that they breed with each other exclusively. They usually have 1 or 2 babies. Male Tamarins help to raise the offspring and will carry the baby whilst the female is not nursing. Older siblings will other lend a helping hand.

Currently, the biggest threat is deforestation. These little Tamarins have lost most of their original range, and are today found in isolated populations, inhabiting fragmented remains of their former habitat. This means that these small populations are unable to successfully breed and sustain themselves.
They are also affected by the illegal wildlife trade, often being trapped by animal collectors and sold as pets. 
In the past, our Cotton Top Tamarins have been a part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP).
At the park, we support a charity called Proyecto Titi. They work with local communities to protect Cotton Top Tamarins. You can find out more about their work & also donate to help protect these cute little monkeys >> HERE <<

All of their toes & fingers (except for halluces) are equipped with claws instead of nails, making them excellent climbers.