Marmosets are small New World monkeys comprising twenty two species, all of which are indigenous to the Amazonian regions of South America. They are often kept as house pets. Marmosets are closely related to Tamarins and both have fine, silky, multi-coloured 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.

Marmosets are arboreal (tree living) animals.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. They are forest dwellers but are not found in mountainous regions. Marmosets and Tamarins are diurnal (active by day, sleeping at night) and 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. Today only Bolivia, Panama, and French Guinea still permit their export, but many are still found in laboratories.  A list of  sub-species is shown below.

Common Marmoset, (Cotton Eared Marmoset) Callithrix jacchus

Black-tufted Marmoset, Callithrix penicillata

Wied's Marmoset, Callithrix kuhlii

White-headed Marmoset, Callithrix geoffroyi

Buffy-headed Marmoset, Callithrix flaviceps

Buffy-tufted Marmoset, Callithrix aurita

Rio Acari Marmoset, Mico acariensis

Manicore Marmoset, Mico manicorensis

Maués Marmoset, Mico mauesi

Gold-and-white Marmoset, Mico chrysoleuca

Hershkovitz's Marmoset, Mico intermedia

Satéré Marmoset, Mico saterei

Rondon's Marmoset, Mico rondoni

Roosmalens' Dwarf Marmoset, Callibella humilis

Pygmy Marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea

Silvery Marmoset, Mico argentata

White Marmoset, Mico leucippe

Emilia's Marmoset, Mico emiliae

Black-headed Marmoset, Mico nigriceps

Marca's Marmoset, Mico marcai

Black-tailed Marmoset, Mico melanura

Santarem Marmoset, Mico humeralifera

 

Our Cotton Eared Common Marmosets Justin and Maisie are shown here at the sanctuary.