Pygmy Marmoset

Pygmy Marmoset

The Pygmy Marmoset, the tiniest monkey, is a native to the rain forest canopies of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru.

One of the smallest primates, the Pygmy Marmoset has a body length ranging from 5 to 6 inches excluding the tail. Males weigh around 4.9 oz, and females only 4.2 oz.

Sporting a tawny coat, the Pygmy Marmoset has a ringed tail that can be as long as its body. Their claws are specially adapted for climbing trees, a trait unique to the species.

They feed on fruit, leaves, insects, and sometimes even small reptiles. Their small weight allows them to reach the very highest leaves of a tree, and to exploit the otherwise little- used food sources there. However, their principal food source comes from tapping trees for sap. Two-thirds of their day can be spent gouging tree bark to reach the gummy sap. To aid in reaching the sap, the Pygmy Marmoset has specialized incisors for gouging holes in bark.

Due to its small size, and its swift movements, it is very hard to observe in the wild.

Because of the ruff of fur around their heads, the Pygmy Marmoset received the Spanish name of Leoncito, little lion.

In captivity, the Pygmy Marmoset can live up to 11 years.

The Pygmy Marmoset is not on the endangered species list.

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