Their movements are usually quick and jerky. They are diurnal, sleeping at night in tree holes or other shelters. The diet includes insects, spiders, small vertebrates, birds' eggs, fruits, and tree exudates. Surprisingly little is known about these attractive primates. Studies in captivity suggest that groups are dominated by a monogamous pair, but the mating system in the wild may be comparable to that described above in the account of Saguinus.
Dominance is maintained through aggressive interaction.
Life span in the genus seems to be about 10 years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity. The IUCN also designates C. humeralifer and C. argentata leucippe as vulnerable. All of these forms are jeopardized through destruction of their habitat by people. The Johns Hopkins University Press. All rights reserved.