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Golden Marmoset
Golden marmosets, or Leontopithecus chrysomelas, have a mane derived from long hairs on
the top of the head, cheeks and throat. The golden marmoset is predominantly black with golden to
reddish-orange on the front of the mane, the lower half of the front paws and part of the tail. It weighs
about 0.7 kg (1.5 lb). Golden marmosets prefer primary lowland tropical forest. They eat mostly
insects and fruit and small vertebrates such as lizards and birds. The female usually gives birth to twins.
The golden marmoset is found in primary lowland tropical forest. The golden marmoset occurs
in the Brazilian Atlantic Forests.The golden marmoset has only been known from the southern portion of
the coastal state of Bahia, Brazil. It was originally found between the south bank of the Rio das Contas
and the north bank of the Rio Belmonte along the Atlantic Coast. As of 1981, small scattered
populations were known only near Buerarema, Itabuna, Una and possibly Ilheus, in the state
of Bahia in Brazil.
More than 90% of the original Atlantic coastal forest, which contains the golden marmoset's
habitat, has been destroyed or reduced to obtain lumber and charcoal and to clear out areas for
plantations, cattle pasture, and industry. In addition, capture for use in laboratories and the pet trade has
contributed to its decline. As of 1990, international trade had been reduced, although internal trade was
still widespread.
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