Birth of Bearded Emperor tamarin twins

Bearded Emperor tamarin twins were born at the zoo 3 weeks ago. This is the second set of twins of our pair formed in 2021. The group now consists of 6 individuals: the breeding pair, the two males born at the end of 2022 and the two newborns.

There are two subspecies of emperor tamarin: Saguinus imperator imperator and Saguinus imperator subgrisencens who, besides its impressive moustache, has a small white beard hence its name of Bearded Emperor Tamarin. It lives in primary and secondary lowland forest of southwestern Amazon, in an area that extends alon the Brazilian, Peruvian and Bolivian borders. The groups are very territorial and include less than 10 individuals who feed on fruits, gum, nectar and small animal prey (insect larvae, ants, snails…).

The female usually gives birth to twins after about 145 days of gestation. Newborns weigh less than 40 grammes and are carried alternatively by the male and the female who takes her babies back for nursing. The cooperative care of infant in marmosets and tamarins allows the females to save energy, older offspring to gain experience and males to maintain good relationships with females to whom they’ll have easier access during the breeding season!