Golden-handed Tamarin

About the Golden-handed Tamarin

The golden-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas), also known as the red-handed tamarin or Midas tamarin, is a New World monkey belonging to the family Callitrichidae. This species is native to wooded areas north of the Amazon River in Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and possibly Venezuela. A population of tamarins south of the Amazon River that lack the contrasting feet and hands was previously believed to be a sub-population of golden-handed tamarins but is now treated as a separate species, the black tamarin.

Populations of golden-handed tamarins appear to be expanding into the historical range of the pied tamarin, with the golden-handed tamarin gradually displacing the pied tamarin through interspecific competition. This species prefers trees with small crowns.

The golden-handed tamarin's body measures 20.5–28 centimetres (8.1–11.0 in); including the tail it measures 31–44 centimetres (12–17 in). It weighs 400–550 grams (0.88–1.21 lb). The fur of the golden-handed tamarin is dark brown or black, with contrasting golden-orange hair on its feet and hands (hence the common name). The dark face is hairless; the big ears stick out of... Wikipedia →