Callithrix pygmaea
pygmy marmoset

Pygmy marmosets can be found in the Upper Amazon of South America. Its range includes western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador and Peru, as well as northern Bolivia.

Pygmy marmosets occupy trees and shrubs in tropical and floodplain forests. They also move farther into the forests, although their numbers are fewer there. Pygmy marmosets have also been known to use secondary forest habitats if there is suitable food available (MacDonald 1984, Rathbun 1990, www.philly).

Pygmy marmosets are the smallest living monkeys. Their head and body range in length from 130 to 370mm. The tail ranges from 150 to 420mm. The fur is fine, soft, and dense. The head and neck are generally dark brown to gray, while the back is black to gray with bluff mixed in. The under side is often orangish, but can range from white to tawny. The head and chest of this species have long tufts of hair, giving the appearance of a mane. The tail is not prehensile. Their forelimbs are shorter than their hind limbs. Pygmy marmosets have claws on all of their digits except the great toe, which has a flat nail. They have only two molars as opposed to the three in most other monkeys. Their canines are only slightly longer than their incisors; this condition is referred to as "short-tusked." Males and females are outwardly nearly indistinguishable; except for genitalia, they exibit no secondary sex characteristics (MacDonald 1984, Rathbun 1990, Nowak 1991, www.cris., www.philly).

This marmoset is diurnal and arboreal. They are active and agile creatures, running, jumping, and occasionally leaping among trees and shrubs. They move through the trees by running quadrupedally along horizontal branches and leaping between thin terminal supports. Pygmy marmosets are usually docile and gentle. Mutual grooming is often seen between members of groups.

Pygmy marmosets mark and defend territories from 25 to 100 acres. They mark their territory with scent glands located on the chest and suprapubic area. Defense of their territory involves calls, displays, and sometimes chasing away others. Pygmy marmosets communicate with members of their groups through facial expressions, posture, and high-pitched vocalizations (MacDonald 1984, Nowak 1991, www.philly).

Pygmy marmosets gouge holes in trees and feed primarily on sap, gum, and latex. They also add spiders and insects, which are attracted to the sap from the tree, to their diet. Fruit is also eaten on rare occasions (MacDonald 1984, Rathbun 1990, Nowak 1991, www.fonz., www.philly).

Marmosets may become threatened due to habitat loss. Pygmy marmosets, however may be able to save themselves through their adaptability to the secondary forest (Rathbun 1990, www.philly, www.cris.).