Pygmy Marmoset

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Pygmy Marmoset

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Cebidae
Genus:	Callithrix
Subgenus:	Cebuella
Species:	C. pygmaea

Binomial name

Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea
Spix, 1823

The Pygmy Marmoset (Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea) is a monkey native to the rainforest canopies of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru. It is one of the smallest primates, with its body length ranging from 14-16 cm (excluding the 15-20 cm tail) and the smallest monkey. Males weigh around 140 g (5 ounces), and females only 120 g (4.2 ounces).

Despite its name, the Pygmy Marmoset is somewhat different from the typical marmosets classified in genus Callithrix. As such, it is accorded its own subgenus, which was formerly recognized as its own genus, Cebuella.

The Pygmy Marmoset has a tawny coat, and ringed tails that are as long as their bodies. Their claws are specially adapted for climbing trees, a trait unique to the species. They are omnivorous, feeding on fruit, leaves, insects, and sometimes even small reptiles. Much of their diet, however, comes from tapping trees for sap. Up to two-thirds of their time is spent gouging tree bark to reach the gummy sap. The Pygmy Marmoset has specialized incisors for gouging holes in bark. Unfortunately, because of its small size, and its swift movements, it is very hard to observe in the wild.

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

There are two subspecies of the Pygmy Marmoset:

Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea pygmaea
Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea niveiventris

[edit] References

Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 132. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.