Moustached Tamarin

• Common Name: black-chested mustached tamarin
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1823
• Monkey Size: 30 to 92.4 cm (11.81 to 36.38 in)
• Skin Color(s): Jet-black
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Peru, Brazil

Moustached tamarins^[1], also known as black-chested moustached tamarins and Spyx’s moustached tamarins, are native to Peru and Brazil. These monkeys are found in all strata of the lowland Amazon rainforest.

• The long white facial hair surrounding its mouth is a distinctive feature that gives the moustached tamarin its name.
• Its face is relatively flat, with large furry ears and almond-shaped eyes. The black hairs on its body are silky and long.
• This little creature has claw-like nails on its hands and feet, except for the big toe (hallux). This helps it cling to trees when feeding on saps or fruit.

• The moustached tamarin gets its name from the lack of coloration in the facial hair around the mouth, which resembles a mustache.
• All moustached tamarins have excellent spatial memory and can quickly identify and remember the location of fruit trees.
• Like squirrels, they run and walk on all fours with their bellies just below the surface, particularly when climbing sloping branches.
• Mustached tamarins live in groups of 2 to 8 individuals (usually 5 to 6), not counting babies. Each group usually consists of 1 or 2 adult females.
• They are territorial but have been observed in association with groups of Leontocebus fuscicollis (saddleback tamarins).