They are considered one of the bare-faced tamarins because of the lack of facial hair. These monkeys weigh 10-18 ounces and the males are only slightly larger than females. They have claws rather than nails on their fingers and toes, except for the big toe.
Tamarins eat small fruits, insects, and occasionally buds and leaves.
Male tamarins play an extensive role in caring for the young by the father. Newborns are able to cling tightly to the body of the mother or father by using their hands and feet. The father carries the young, but transfers them to the mother at feeding time. The infants will ride on the parent's back for six to seven weeks. Cotton-topped tamarins are found in groups of two to thirteen.