Pygmy Maromoset
The pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) is a small species of New World monkey native to rain forests of the western Amazon Basin in South America. The species is notable for being the smallest monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world, at just over 100 grams (3.5 oz) It is generally found in evergreen and river-edge forests and is a gum-feeding specialist, or a gummivore.
A full-grown pygmy marmoset could fit in an adult human's hand, and it weighs about as much as a stick of butter. But there is nothing tiny about a pygmy marmoset's tail: it's longer than its body! The tail is not prehensile, but it helps the little monkey keep its balance as it gallops through the treetops.
About 83% of the pygmy marmoset population lives in stable troops of two to nine individuals, including a dominant male, a breeding female, and up to four successive litters of offspring. The modal size of a standard stable troop would be six individuals.Although most groups consist of family members, some may also include one or two additional adult members. Members of the group communicate using a complex system including vocal, chemical, and visual signals. Three main calling signals depend on the distance the call needs to travel. These monkeys may also make visual displays when threatened or to show dominance. Chemical signaling using secretions from glands on the chest and genital area allow the female to indicate to the male when she is able to reproduce. The female gives birth to twins twice a year and the parental care is shared between the group. The pygmy marmoset has been viewed as somewhat different from typical marmosets, most of which are classified in the genera Callithrix and Mico, and thus is accorded its own genus, Cebuella, within the family Callitrichidae. It is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as it is common across its wide range and not at immediate risk of widespread decline. The biggest threats to the species are habitat loss and the pet trade.
Finger Monkeys as Pets: People began keeping finger monkeys as pets several years ago and as exotic pets are a growing trend, finger monkeys are actually becoming more common. There are some things you should be aware of though. First and foremost, even domesticated finger monkeys are still animals and with that being said, if you intend to keep a male finger monkey, it is important to know that as they reach adulthood, they can become very aggressive as this is part of their nature. It is also important to note that pygmy marmosets are extremely active and very clever creatures and thus need constant companionship of both humans and other finger monkeys because human interaction is not enough and they will quickly become bored. If you are considering adopting a finger monkey, it is best to have at least two though in the wild, they usually live in groups of 6 to 9.
Habitat and Ecology:This species is largely restricted to river-edge forest and its abundance in a given locality is dependent on the availability of suitable habitat. However, a number of authors have indicated its occurrence in secondary forest.It may be particularly abundant in areas moderately affected by agricultural activities and hunting and is capable of existing in isolated forest patches near human settlements.It generally travels in the lower layers of the forest, keeping to dense vegetation in the understorey. In Ecuador, it is known to occur between altitudes 200 and 940 m, but usually below 400 m above sea level.As in Peru, it shows a marked preference for inundated forests, liana forest, and the edges of rivers and lakes, and can also be found in secondary forest.
Cebuella is a gum-feeding specialist, with behavioural and dental adaptations to gnaw holes in the bark of certain species of trees and vines to stimulate gum production.Saddleback tamarin, Saguinus fuscicollis, groups tend to pirate these gum feeding holes wherever the two species are sympatric.
Group sizes range from 5-9, with 1-2 adult males and 1-2 adult females. As in other callitrichids, the single breeding female in the group produces twins twice a year, and the adult males and other group members help her to carry them.Home ranges are typically small from 0.1 to 0.4 ha, centred on one or two trees which supply the gum they need. The entire group will move to a new home range when the gum sources become inadequate.
Size: Adult male weight 110 g (n=36) , Adult female weight 122 g (n=27).
Anatomy:Even though this Monkey is very small it has a body that is fluffed up. They are round and appear to be very fat. They really aren’t though but instead they are offering a natural means of helping them to look larger. They use this mechanism as a way to help them deflect being easy prey. They have the ability to cling to trees due to their sharp claws. They have a visual characteristic of tufts that grow out the sides of the face by the ears. They grow in all directions and get longer as the Monkeys get older.
Family Life:Pygmy marmosets live in extended families, called troops, of up to nine monkeys but with an average of five members. Usually the troop has a breeding pair, their babies, and any of their adult children. The parents stay together for life. Living in a group is useful for pygmy marmosets. There are more pairs of eyes to spot predators, and everyone helps take care of the little ones. For added safety, the troop spends the night among thick vines or in a tree hole.
A mother pygmy marmoset's gestation period is about 4.5 months, and she can give birth every 5 to 7 months. She almost always has two babies, but in zoos, pygmy marmosets have had three or even four babies in one litter. Each newborn is about the size of a human thumb! The father helps deliver the babies, cleans them up, and then takes over their care. He carries the newborns piggyback style for their first two weeks, bringing them back to the mother to nurse. Older siblings may help, too. When they are a bit older, the babies hide while the rest of their family looks for food until they are strong enough to travel with the group.
Usually the young marmosets are weaned and can follow the troop by three months of age. It takes them about two years to grow as large as the adults. They may leave the troop at this point to start a family of their own, or they may stay to help raise the newest babies.
Pygmy marmosets communicate with each other by chattering and trilling in high-pitched voices. They can make sounds so high in pitch that humans can’t hear them. Certain squeaks and calls express danger or other urgent monkey messages. They also make faces to express emotions like contentment, surprise, or fear by moving their lips, eyelids, ears, and the hair around their face. We humans do that, too! These mini monkeys groom one another, and that helps establish social bond. They are fussy about keeping their fur in good shape. Pygmy marmoset families have territories marked by scent. This signals neighboring troops to leave each other alone.
Behavior:
Communication is big part of the social aspects for life as the Pygmy Marmoset. They use their vocal calls to chatter, to tell of danger, to encourage mating, and to encourage their young. They make clicking sounds in addition to loud calls. They can make short calls for those group members close by. They can also make long calls for those that are further away.
These Monkeys don’t live in large groups, they will have 12 members at the most. They really do enjoy bonding and spend all their free time with each other. There show a great deal of sadness when one of their members dies. For the most part they are timid and get along with each other well.
They can be aggressive with each other if they need to. Yet they will fight to their own death if they have to in order for them to defend themselves and others in the group. Researchers still want to conduct more research in the area of the behavior of the Pygmy Marmoset. However, it is very difficult to do so without upsetting their natural environment.
Diet and Feeding Habits:The diet of the Pygmy Marmoset is very different from most other species of Monkeys. Theirs consists of sap and gum. That is what they will survive on if they are able to do so. They need a diet that offers them high amounts of carbohydrates. They may consume plants, fruit, and insects if they can’t get enough sap or gum.
You may be wondering how they are able to get the sap out of the trees? They have a very good system in place. They use sharp teeth and use them to penetrate the wood. Then they can drain the sap from inside. They are very patient with this process as it can be time consuming. This is why they may take many hours a day to feed.
Interesting Facts about Pygmy Marmosets:
- Finger monkeys have the ability to do a full 180-degree head rotation.
- Fingers monkeys can jump nearly 15 feet in the air.
- Finger monkeys are known for their long tails, usually more than twice the length of their body around 6 to 7 inches long .
- Domesticated finger monkeys tend to have a life span of 12 to 15 years if they are well cared for
- There is only a 25% survival rate for offspring born to female finger monkeys.
Here some Pictures of Pygmy Marmoset:
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