Emperor Tamarin

• Common Name: Emperor Tamarin
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1907
• Monkey Size: 23 to 26 cm (9 to 10 in)
• Skin Color(s): Brown, Gray
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Peru, Bolivia

The Emperor Tamarin^[1] is a species of tamarin named for its resemblance to the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. It lives in the states of Acre and Amazonas, western Brazil, and the southwestern Amazon basin.

• These monkeys have a body length of about 9.2 to 10.4 inches and a tail length of 14 to 16.6 inches. They are relatively light, only reaching between 10.7 and 14.2 ounces in full size.
• “Emperors” are mostly gray in body, with a mixture of fine yellow hairs on their backs and scatterings of rusty red on their chests.
• Also, they have a silvery-brown crown, black feet and hands, and a reddish-brown tail.
• The most distinctive feature of this species is its extremely long white mustache, which hangs down to the chest in two tufts (and extends over the shoulders when pulled back).
• Like most common tamarins, this species has claws on all toes and fingers except for the big toe, which has a nail.

• Active during the day, emperor monkeys are very friendly, graceful, and playful monkeys.
• They are motorized “jumpers” and move through trees with reasonably quick, jerky movements.
• This species also shows a need for snuggling, as in captivity, they enjoy being petted by the hand and will lie on their back in hopes of more cuddles.
• Emperor tamarins have sometimes been observed living in association with other species of tamarins. For instance, southeastern Peru lives in association with saddleback tamarins.
• The Saguinas emperor is believed to be threatened or endangered in Peru and Brazil. Still, in other areas of its terrestrial biome, the IUCN classifies its status as undetermined.