Birth of Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin twins

The recent formation of new lion tamarin pairs keeps paying off: after the Golden lion tamarin twins born in early April, we recorded the birth of Golden-headed lion tamarin twins in mid-May! The twins are the first successful breeding of this pair formed in July 2024, and they are thriving.

Lion tamarins are iconic primates of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. They get their name from the long hairs surrounding their face that look like a lion’s mane. There are four different species: the Golden Lion Tamarin, the Black Lion Tamarin, the Golden-headed Lion Tamarin and the Black-faced Lion Tamarin.

The Golden-headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) has a beautiful reddish-orange mane that contrasts with its black fur over its body. Endemic to the coastal regions located in the far south of Bahia state in Brazil, this small primate weighs no more than 700g and lives in family groups of an average of ten individuals. It feeds primarily on fruits, plan exudates (gums) and small prey (snails, lizards, insects) found in epiphytic tank bromeliads.

Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the species is suffering population decline due to habitat destruction. It is estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. However it manages to survive in cocoa plantations managed according to a traditional agroforestry system called “cabruca”, where cocoa trees are grown under the shade of conserved native trees, thus preserving connectivity between forest patches and encouraging the maintenance of refuge habitats for local biodiversity.