The Emperor Tamarin, at first appearance, looks like a wise old monkey with its flowing white beard. But it is, in fact, a very agile and athletic monkey that moves with quick, jerky actions in the shrubs and trees in the forests of South America, primarily in west Brazil, east Peru and north Bolivia.

It is generally found in lowland forests and primarily feeds on fruits, tender vegetation, insects, spiders, small vertebrates and birds’ eggs. It lives in small groups and makes a great variety of shrill sounds.

The female tamarin gives birth to twin babies after a gestation period of about five months. And did you know, the male Emperor Tamarin assists the female during the birth of the baby? It cleans the newly born just like humans do.

It belongs to the marmoset family of animals, and like others in its family, the male helps at feeding time by handing the baby to its mother!