Husbandry and breeding of a newly-established colony of cotton-topped tamarins (Saguinus oedipus oedipus)

Abstract

From November 1976 to February 1979 a total of 8 litters were born to 6 females. Of the 14 infants, 10 were successfully reared by their parents. Housing, nutrition, a balance between environmental stability and stimulation, and female multiparity are seen as factors contributing to the breeding success of this colony. A controlled male and female pairing programme provided information on mating behaviour and gestation length. One gestation of at least 166 days was observed, longer than that of the common marmoset.