Common Marmoset

Common Marmoset baby at Wingham Wildlife Park by les Willis

Common Marmoset Natural History

Size

Adults range from 14cm to 18cm reaching an adult weight of around 400g.

Habitat and Distribution

This animal originally had a range across northwestern areas of Brazil. However, due to introduction in the 1920s it now also has a distribution through Southeastern Brazil too.

Age

The average lifespan of this species is 10 years but they have been recorded living as long as 16 years.

Diet

Around 25% to 30% of their time is spent searching for food to fill their diet of tree sap, eggs, small mammals, birds and a variety of insects.

Groups and Breeding

These social animals live in groups of 4 to 15 individuals, made up of mated adults and their young. These animals have a strict social order and all will take part in raising the young, however there is no strict mating pattern in which all individuals may mate depending on their social standing. After mating the gestation period for this species is around 150 days. A family group can have a territory range of around 74 acres.

Threats

Even though it has been extensively collected for the pet trade its numbers remain very steady and since its introduction to a new range it has flourished so much in inner city areas such as Rio De Janeiro that it is, in places, considered a pest.

Interesting Facts

Unlike most primates this species does not have toe nails, but instead has claws.

 The Common Marmoset During Your Day Out in Kent

The common marmosets at Wingham Wildlife Park can be seen upstairs in the Chimpanzee House or in their outside area just opposite the lemur walk-through enclosure. We are home to a male and female named Sugar and Spice and their sons Ginger and Cinnamon. They have successfully raised several adorable young here at the park so you may even be lucky enough to see little ones on your visit to us. This area is also home to Cotton-topped Tamarins, Emperor Tamarins, Red Handed Tamarins and Linnaeus two toed sloths.

The more you know…

Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.

A review of 2022

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Dangers of Primates as Pets

Going Fruit Free For Primates

Training Sessions