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Outline: Geographic Distribution is limited by habitat loss due to deforestation, and large river barriers.

Distribution and Habitat
Endemic to Pará, Brazil, the geographic range of black-handed tamarins is limited by the Rio Amazonas (Amazon River) to the North, the Rio Tocantins (Tocantins River) to the East, the Rio Xingu (Xingu River) to the West, and until recently, the Rio Gradaus (Gradaus River) to the South. . The photographic evidence of a black-handed tamarin in Confresa, a town in the northeastern region of the state of Mato Grosso, shows an increase in geographic range to the South.

Black-handed tamarins are neotropical, arboreal primates that prefer semi-deciduous, terra firme forest for ease of foraging, and thick growth as cover from aerial and terrestrial predators. Due to deforestation in Eastern Brazil, black-handed tamarins regularly rely on fragmented, disturbed, secondary forest habitats. While much of the forest’s canopy has been destroyed, and black-handed tamarins have been seen moving through all levels of the forest, they are most active in the lower to middle (5-15m) strata of the forest.

Predators
Due to the black-handed tamarin’s small size, they are an animal of prey. Their predators include man, diurnal birds of prey, snakes, and cats. Margays (Leopardus Wiedii) and Ocelots (Leopardus Pardalis) have arboreal adaptations, which allow them to move about in trees, and have been seen preying on black-handed tamarins while in captivity. Because black-handed tamarins have both aerial and terrestrial predators, they utilize any tree they can climb into, or bundled branches with thick foliage, along with a group sleep system to keep safe while sleeping at night.

The black-handed tamarin's social structure serves as an important line of defense against their predators. While much of their days are spent foraging, they all do their part to keep an eye out for predators and call out with auditory signals to alert their social unit. Though intimidating acts can be displayed toward predators or in territorial defense, the black-handed tamarin's primary defense is flight. Their small size and ability to move quickly through the trees, and hide in small spaces allows them the greatest opportunity for survival from threats. This aspect of their social structure is important to survival, as a single black-handed tamarin would not be able to forage and keep watch for predators safely and effectively.