Tamarin Lab: Cutest Primates You'll Ever See

Tamarin named Godiva
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/TamarinColony/

If you've ever taken a class in Guild then more than likely you've heard the rumor about the “monkey lab”. This is one rumor that is completely true! In 2008 12 “cotton-top” Tamarins were donated to FSU by the University of Wisconsin. The university hoped to continue the noninvasive research with the Tamarins, which was started by Dr. Charles T. Snowdon, at FSU under the professional authority of Dr. Erika Kennedy. FSU has provided a large habitat to house each mating couple in their own aviary-like cages which try to simulate their natural habitat as much as possible. Born in captivation, the Tamarins are also provided with many toys to play with.

Dr. Kennedy has acquired over 8 years of experience with various different primates and now takes this opportunity to learn more about Tamarins in general. Knowledge about Tamarins and their social interactions have become increasingly important as their only natural habitat, the Columbia brush, has been progressively destroyed due to deforestation.

http://proyectotiti.com/english/project-justifications.htm

To eliminate human influence, only she and a select few “babysitters” who are then trained by Dr. Kennedy, interact directly with the primates. Students are allowed to see the lab but unless your apart of Dr. Kennedy's Animal and Learning Cognition Class, you are only allowed to look at them through a window from the next room over. Procedure to walk into this room is intricate enough. After your hands and arms are scrubbed down with hand sanitizer your shoes are then covered with plastic covers and finally, Dr. Kennedy asks that only two enter into the room at one time and that both persons remain silent. The window that you look through is also tinted on the other side. I doubt that any of the Tamarins have been aware of their onlookers in the three years that they've been here.

The maintaining of this lab provides a wonderful opportunity for students at FSU. Very few undergraduate students have an opportunity to observe primates like FSU students can now do. This opportunity and the feedback from the students of the Animal and Learning Cognition class has inspired a new minor in Animal Behavior. Animal Cognition related classes involved in this minor are enhanced by constant up-to-date research on animal intelligence through the work of Dr. Kennedy.

Spring 2009 Tamarin Team
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/TamarinColony/

These Tamarins have become special to Dr. Kennedy. Each one has a name and a loving description from Dr. Kennedy herself on their personality. Her devotion and affection for the Tamarins have definitely shown through the many accomplishments her research has achieved.

“Research

As Frostburg State University’s Cotton-Top Tamarin Colony was recently founded, we are currently in the beginning phases of our noninvasive research program examining the problem-solving skills of tamarins. Check back for more detailed descriptions of research in progress.

Topics of interest include:

• Tool-use/object manipulation

• Analogical reasoning

• Planning/inhibition of ineffective strategies

• Effectiveness of enrichment techniques”

  http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/tamarinColony/

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Kennedy's project click on the link above.