Red Handed Tamarin

Red Handed Tamarins grooming at Wingham Wildlife Park, Kent

Red Handed Tamarin Natural History

Size

This small primate is just 28 cm (11 inches) long with a weight of 500 grams.

Habitat and Distribution

Their preferred habitat includes a variety of different forest types in Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Venezuala.

Age

They reach 10 years of age in the wild or up to 16 in captivity.

Diet

Their diet includes flowers, fruits and insects.

Groups and Breeding

The Red Handed Tamarin is a very sociable animal living in troops of 4-16 individuals led by a female. After a 4-5 month gestation period females with give birth to 1- 2 young. Both males and females share their parental duty. Offspring start weaning by 7 months, and reach maturity at two years.

Threats and Conservation

This species is classed as least concern as they are widespread throughout and common in their range. In fact, they are expanding their range into that of the Pied Tamarin, replacing them as they compete for food sources.

Interesting Facts

They have been known to jump as far as 60 feet (18 meters).

The Red Handed Tamarin During Your Day Out in Kent

The Red Handed Tamarins , Leia and Han can be seen upstairs in the Chimpanzee House and in their outside area opposite the Ring-tailed Lemurs. This area is also home to Common Marmosets, Emperor Tamarins, Cotton-topped Tamarins and Linnaeus Two Toed Sloth.

The more you know…

Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.

Going Fruit Free For Primates