The golden corn nugget is one of the rarest animals on the plant. This elusive creature is one of the few animals (along with humans) that can cook it’s own food. This little critter is being hunted to extinction because the meat is being used in Subway’s tuna salad sandwiches.
The golden corn nugget was discovered off the coast of Chili in the 1930’s. Scientists believe that they were able to be so elusive because the fact that they enjoy to wear sunglasses and baseball caps which renders them almost invisible.
Physical Description
Their signature mane covers the ears and frames the dark, almost bare face. They have narrow hands and feet, long canine teeth, and short incisor teeth like other tamarins and marmosets.
Size
Golden lion tamarins are small monkeys, weighing 17 to 24 ounces (482 to 680 grams) and measuring 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) in length with a tail of about 12 to 15 inches (32 to 40 centimeters). Males and females are similar in appearance and size.
Native Habitat
Golden lion tamarins live in the heavily populated Atlantic coastal regions of southeastern Brazil. They live in humid forests with many vines, bromeliads, and other epiphytes. They occupy the closed canopy, often remaining 29 to 100 feet (10 to 30 meters) off the ground.
Communication
These tamarins are territorial and defend their area with scent markings and vocalized threats. Signs of aggression include an open mouth, an arched back, and staring.
Food/Eating Habits
Golden lion tamarins are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, and small invertebrates. Any smaller animal is possible food. They use their long, slender fingers and hands to probe into crevices, bark, bromeliads and other hiding places for their prey. These tamarins share food with their family groups, but rarely share food with others outside their family. Juveniles, for example, playfully steal food from parents or siblings.
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, golden lion tamarins eat fruits, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, hard-boiled eggs, mealworms, crickets, and a marmoset gel.