We have several Common Marmosets at Animal Tracks, all surrendered to us for variety of reasons, besides the fact that it is illegal to own them in California. They dribble urine all day long, which makes them incredibly smelly animals, not to mention they have needle teeth and are like real live gremlins! The very sad reality about these small primates is that people impulse buy them because they think they are cute, not realizing that they have an incredibly specialized diet requiring gum and sap, but they also require sunlight. So, when people impulse buy them without doing any research at all and give them human food and cannot put them outside for fear they will get caught, these monkeys, that should live upwards of 20 years in the wild and in captivity, will usually only live approximately one year. Marmosets are one of the few primate troops that are matriarchal, meaning the females are boss. We have indoor heated enclosures for them at night when it’s too cold outside – and large outdoor enclosures for them during the daytime and warm summer nights.
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Callitrichidae
GENUS: Callithris
SPECIES: Jacchus
The marmoset is a unique primate. They have claw like nails, known as tegulae, and specialized incisors. This is to help them with their specialized diet of gum, sap, and insects. They are clingers and leapers as opposed to other primates which brachiate. They are a super social primate and live in family groups of 3- 12 individuals. They are highly territorial and mark their territory with scent to keep others away. They are diurnal or active during the day. They have excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell and a diverse system for communication, which includes, eyelids, ears, and ear tufts to display their emotions. They are arboreal, tree dwelling, omnivores. They breed in groups made up of 2 males and 1 female. Gestations is between 142 and 150 days where 1-3 infants are born. The infants are weened at 3 months old and are adult sized by 15 months. However, breeding does not occur until they can prove dominance. Interesting fact, all males are colorblind while the females can see in color.
Threats
Habitat destruction and illegal pet trade.
Conservation Status
LC - Least Concern