Caehopkin, Abercrave,
Swansea Valley, SA9 1UD
South Wales, UK
Tel +44 (0) 1639 730276
Email:-  desk@cefn-yr-erw.fsnet.co.uk

  

Marmosets..  comprise eight species, all of which are indigenous to the Amazonian regions of South America. They are...
  • The Common Marmoset, sometimes called The Cotton Eared Marmoset (shown left)
  • The Tassel-ear Marmoset
  • The Bare-ear Marmoset
  • The Black Tufted-ear Marmoset
  • The Buffy Tufted-ear Marmoset
  • Geoffroy's Tufted-ear Marmoset
  • The Buffy-Headed Marmoset
Marmosets are closely related to Tamarins and both have fine, silky, multicoloured coats.

Their markings, colours and patterns, are species specific, with each species having unique tufts, manes, and moustaches. This makes Marmosets and Tamarins the most diverse and colourful of the New World primates.

Their hind legs are specially developed for holding onto a limb while reaching for a piece of fruit or an insect and their sharp claws provide a sure, steady anchor. Marmosets and Tamarins gain their nourishment primarily through fruits, augmented by nectars, flowers, saps, gums, and small animals such as frogs, lizards, insects, and spiders. They have also been known to eat leaf buds, but not mature leaves.

Although the tails of these primates are very long and substantial in relation to body size they are not prehensile, and are used only for balancing while climbing, leaping, and running. They are very agile creatures, crossing from tree to tree by running along branches at incredibly high speeds.

The eyes of marmosets are invariably brown in colour and are very human-looking. This makes their faces particularly attractive to humans who have always prized them as pets. Today only Bolivia, Panama, and French Guinea still permit their export, but many are still found in laboratories.

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