Small Monkeys, Big Hair – Meet Our Cotton-Top Tamarins!

At just the size of a squirrel, cotton-top tamarins might be tiny but they’ve got huge personalities and even bigger hairdos! With their wild white crests and curious expressions, these little monkeys are a favourite among visitors to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. 

We’re home to a lovely pair of cotton-top tamarins called Merry and Pippin, who can often be spotted leaping through the branches of their habitat or perched side by side. These highly social primates live in close-knit family groups and are known for their strong bonds, cooperative parenting, and surprising vocal skills, they have more than 30 distinct calls to communicate with one another!

Why Are Cotton-Tops Endangered?

Found only in the forests of northwest Colombia, cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered, with as few as 6,000 individuals left in the wild. The biggest threats they face include:

• Deforestation, especially for cattle grazing and urban development
  
  

• The Illegal pet trade
  
  

• Habitat fragmentation, making it harder for family groups to stay connected
  
  

Through our work with the European Breeding Programme and awareness days like this, we’re proud to support the conservation of these fascinating primates and their rainforest homes.

Tamarins are clever problem-solvers and quick learners. At the zoo, we give them regular enrichment activities to keep their minds busy—look out for hanging puzzle feeders or leafy foraging trays during your visit!

Head to our Social Media to watch Keeper Jack giving Merry and Pippin enrichment! 

Merry and Pippin are also important ambassadors, helping us educate guests about the challenges faced by wildlife in the tropics and how we can all help protect endangered species. Come and meet our cotton-top tamarins during your next visit! You can look out for their habitat next to the Ark Arena and red ruffed lemurs, and see if you can spot them swinging by!