Saguinus geoffroyi
Geoffroy's tamarin

The range inhabited by Saguinus geoffroyi extends from southeastern Costa Rica to extreme northwestern Colombia (Nowak, 1999). Saguinus geoffroyi is the only callithricid whose range extends from South America as far north as Costa Rica (Grzimek, 1990).

Saguinus geoffroyi lives in an area of shrubbery, grasses and secondary growth. This species often lives in disturbed forests and has been historically associated with slash and burn agriculture. S. geoffroyi inhabits areas with highly dense foilage and avoids open forest, sparsely-forested openings and areas of grass. Saguinus geoffroyi has been found to sleep in trees that are densely foliated or covered with vines. It has not been observed that they make nests, but it appears that they sleep in cavities in trees as do many other callitrichids ( http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/soceco.htm, http://www.masmacon.com/tamarin.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/Tamarins.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/tamarin.htm).

Saguinus geoffroyi is the smallest monkey in Panama. The average body length is only 20-29 cm and the tail ranges from 31-42 cm. Saguinus geoffroyi has brown and black fur covering its body with an almost bare black rump. It also has a triangular section of white fur on its head. The neckis mahogany red as well as the tail, except for a black tip ( http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/tamarin.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/soceco.htm, Grzimek, 1990).

Saguinus geoffroyi has a polyandrous mating system, that is, many males mate with only one female.

The mating season occurs during January and February, and the births take place from March through June, with the majority occurring from late April to early June. The gestation period usually lasts from 140 to 145 days. Females can have between one and two young at once, and the young usually weigh about 40 grams at birth. One breeding female usually bears twins. The nursing period usually lasts about two to three months and sexual maturity is achieved at about 24 months. The life span of Saguinus geoffroyi is about 13 years (Grzimek, 1990,http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/tamarin.htm, http://www.zoologi.su.se/personal/patrik/PrimData.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/tamarin.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/Tamarins.htm).

Females nurse their offspring for 2 to 3 months. Males help care for and carry the young. Carrying the young for the first six to eight weeks of life is very important.

Saguinus geoffroyi is diurnal and is usually found in groups of 2-19 individuals. They are a territorial species that has been found to visit the border of their range and mark the trees early in the morning each day . Males usually visit the border most often. Sex roles are very different when it comes to territorial disputes. Males usually act aggressively with other groups whereas females usually just scent mark. S. geoffroyi makes a variety of birdlike calls that serve as alarms for others in the group when danger from raptors or ground dangers, such as snakes or coatimundis, arise . Saguinus geoffroyi will also mob a predator (Grzimek, 1990, http://www.masmacon.com/tamarin.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/soceco.htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/Tamarins.htm).

The diet of Saguinus geoffroyi primarily consists of insects and fruits. They also feed on small lizards, flowers and nectar found in secondary growth. Between 30 and 50% of their diet in one study was made up of insects, with cicadas and grasshoppers appearing to be their most favored food. The main source of food for most of the year, however, is fruit. Most foraging takes place in the middle and lower canopy levels of the forest. Small fruits are most commonly consumed. When fruit becomes scarce during the dry months of the year, S. geoffroyi resorts to eating nectar and other secondary resources. Because both insects and fruits are scarce during the dry seasons, Saguinus geoffroyi shows a decrease in body weight due to loss of fat reserves at this time ( http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/tamarin.htm, http://www.masmacon.com/tamarin/htm, http://www.fsu.edu/~cppanama/ipsp/soceco.htm).

Saguinus geoffroyi consumes insects which could help in controlling pests for humans.

Saguinus geoffroyi will thrive is given suitable habitat. Decreased secondary growth has been related to a decrease in S. geoffroyi populations. With public education and protection in created refuges, the species may once again be able to prosper ( http://www.fsu/~cppanama/ipsp/soceco.htm).