Golden Lion Tamarin or Golden Marmoset

Most of the wild population is confined to the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, a protected area of swampy forests in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is an important bastion of the golden lion tamarin, as only 2% of forests in the monkey's original range remains. Furthermore, its existing habitat has been broken up by logging and agriculture. This attrition has led to isolated populations and inbreeding, a combination likely to result in extinction.
A high canopy with dense tangles of vines is required by the golden lion tamarin. Other than providing a home, the labyrinthine forest affords some degree of protection from its many predators. The species' main predators are raptors, large cats and snakes. The canopy also provides an important source of food. These omnivorous primates rely on rainwater and insects concentrated in the reservoirs of bromeliads and other small animals inhabiting the bark of trees. Fruit is also consumed. For instance, at União Biological Reserve, more than 160 species of fruit were observed being eaten.