Pygmy Marmoset

Distribution:Central South America

Habitat:Floodplain

Height:Approx. 136mm

Weight:130g

Diet:Omnivorous

Gum, fruit, insects.

Common Name: Pygmy MarmosetScientific Name: Callithrix pygmaea

LEAST CONCERN

Marmosets and tamarins come from all over South America andare some of the World’s smallest monkeys ranging from 100grams to 800 grams.

Like all monkeys marmosets and tamarins have a tail, one of theeasiest ways to tell the difference between monkeys and apes(gibbons, chimps, bonobos, orangs and gorilla).

Marmosets all have enlarged canines because some of theirdiet is made up of tree gum. They use their incisors to break thetree bark so they can get at the gum underneath.

For pygmy marmosets gum is the main part of their diet. Theirsupplement the gum with fruit and small animal prey (insectsetc).

Pygmy marmosets are the world’s smallest monkey. When theyare born the babies are only about the same size as atoothbrush head!

They live in varying group sizes usually with one dominant,male. He will mate with all the females and after she givesbirth it is usual in these small monkeys for thecare of the juveniles to be shared through thegroup.

Despite their small sizethese monkeys can livefor a surprisingly longtime often into their midteens.