The plight of the cotton top tamarin, a fight for survival

The cotton top tamarin is a small primate native to a limited area in northwest Columbia. Recognizable by its white hair, it lives in trees and feeds on fruits and insects. These social creatures form hierarchical family groups. Historically threatened by poaching and research, their numbers now decline mainly due to deforestation, with an 80% population drop over three generations.

Where can cotton top tamarins be found in the wild?

• Northwest Columbia

• Amazon Rainforest

• Southeast Brazil

• Central America

What is a distinctive feature of cotton top tamarins?

• Blue eyes

• Long tails

• White hair on their heads

• Bright red fur

How do cotton top tamarins organize their social groups?

• In random clusters

• In large herds

• In hierarchical family groups

• In solitary pairs

What was a major threat to cotton top tamarins in the past?

• Food scarcity

• Natural predators

• Illegal pet trade

• Climate change

What is the main reason for the current decline in cotton top tamarin populations?

• Deforestation

• Competition for food

• Hunting

• Disease