Buffy-tufted marmoset

Yellow- Büschelaffe ( Callithrix aurita )

The Yellow- Büschelaffe ( Callithrix aurita ), also white ear Büschelaffe, Weißpinselaffe or White Ear Seidenaffe (or each - monkeys ), a primate of the family of marmosets is ( Callitrichidae ).

Description

Yellow ear tufts, like all monkey marmosets very small primates, they reach a weight of about 300 to 400 grams. Their fur is mostly black in color, the tail is ringed black and gray. Is located on the forehead, a white- yellow spots, eponymous feature is the whitish- yellow ear tufts. The limbs are rather short, as with all marmosets are located on the fingers and toes (except the big toe ) claws instead of nails.

Distribution and habitat

Yellow ear tufts monkeys live in the forests on the Atlantic Coast Southeast of Brazil. Its distribution area covers the south of Minas Gerais, the state of Rio de Janeiro and the northeastern parts of São Paulo. Their habitat are mountain forests up to 1300 meters above sea level. Previously they lived probably in deeper woods, but these are cleared today.

Lifestyle and diet

Yellow ear marmoset, like all marmosets diurnal and arboreal. They move on all fours or by jumping. They live in groups 2-13 animals in which usually propagates only one dominant female. As with all marmosets mostly twins are born, the father and the other group members participate actively in the rearing of the young.

In contrast to most other marmosets to yellow ear marmoset feed to a greater extent by insects. Your teeth are less suitable to the gnawing of bark for the production of tree sap than in the closely related species, however, fungi play an important role in the diet.

Endangering

As the forests are being cut more in Southeastern Brazil than in other parts of the country, the yellow ear tufts monkeys are at greater risk. The IUCN estimates the population to less than 10,000 adult animals, which are also distributed across many fields, and lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ). There are now breeding and resettlement projects in some zoos.