Pygmy Marmoset Natural History
Size
The Pygmy Marmoset only grows to a length of 12-16cm and a weight of 85 to 140g.
Habitat and Distribution
They live in the Amazon across Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. They inhabit trees near rivers and prefer denser areas in which they can hide better and have a small range of less than half an acre which is marked by scent.
Age
In the wild they live for up to 12 years but in captivity can live for up to 18.
Diet
Each group will only feed from a few trees. Tree sap is their favourite food but they will also eat insects and some fruit and nectar.
Groups and Breeding
They live in small groups with extended family members. Parents stay together for life and the rest of the family help with taking care of young and keeping an eye out for predators.
Their gestation period is 4.5 months and mothers can give birth every 5-7 months. It is common for them to have two young but can have up to four in rarer cases. Fathers will help to clean the newborns and carry them. The young are weaned at around 3 months and fully grown at 2 years of age.
Threats
This species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Their biggest threat comes from the pet trade and habitat loss is also a problem. They are also prey for animals such as birds of prey, cats and snakes.
Interesting Facts
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world but not the smallest primate (that is the mouse lemur).
They can make sounds which are so high-pitched humans can’t hear them.
The Pygmy Marmosets During Your Day Out in Kent
At Wingham Wildlife Park we have five pygmy marmosets called Cruz, Nico, Lopez, Sol and Carlos. They live opposite the entrance to the Ring-tailed Lemurs.
The more you know…
Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.