Cotton-top Tamarins

  • Status

    Critically Endangered

  • Size

    Up to 0.4 kg

  • Threat

    Deforestation

  • Distribution

    Colombia

  • Diet

    Omnivore

Meet one of the smallest primates in the world, the Cotton-top Tamarin!

Easily recognisable by their eccentric looking long white crested hairstyle, Cotton-top Tamarins are one of three Amazonian species of Tamarin. Cotton-tops live in a small forested areas of Northwestern Colombia. They forage through the middle forest canopy to find fruits and small insects to eat.

In the late 1960s almost 30,000 Cotton-top Tamarins were exported to the USA for biomedical research. Today, deforestation and human activity poses the greatest threat to this species. Colombia is losing its tropical rainforest at a dramatic rate due to deforestation and agriculture.

In 2021, the Cotton-Top Tamarins at Yorkshire Wildlife Park became parents to twins! Find out more

Where in the park?

Take a wild trip to South America and discover the incredible lands of primates, rodents & more all native to this incredible area!

Visit Explore South America

Cotton Top (CR.Brian Hall)

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Howler Monkey In The Canopy (CR. David Roberts)

Monkeys of South America Experience

Discover some of the most awesome and bizarre animals that the continent has to offer, from Howler Monkeys to Cotton-top Tamarins!

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