by Sandy Winn

Created on: July 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

Embedded deep within the abundance of green foliage and near flooded rivers and streams found in the Tropical Rain Forests of South America, Asia, and Africa, are Pygmy Marmosets. These small and unique creatures are known as the world's smallest monkey. Adults weigh in at a mere four to seven ounces. The tail of this tiny monkey is actually longer than its body. The maximum length of their tail is about eight inches long, whereas their bodies average about five inches in length. Weighing in at about one-half of an ounce at birth, so tiny is the baby Pygmy Marmoset that they do not fully cover the index or middle finger of an adult human when clinging to them.

When laying eyes on the Pygmy Marmoset, noticed is that they look strikingly similar to their close kin, the Tamarin and especially the Lion Tamarin. The hair surrounding their face is longer than the rest of the fur on their body which gives them the appearance of having a mane. Their fur is a combination of gray and brown with hints of yellow and green that blends with the trees they live in such as; Tropical Oak and Dwarf trees, the African Tulip, Princess Trees, Papaya, and Perfume Acacia . It makes the perfect camouflage to protect themselves and elude predators such as hawks, eagles, jungle cats, and climbing pit vipers to name a few - though sometimes they aren't so lucky.

They have sharp claws except on their big toes which have a flat nail. Unlike other monkeys, their tail is not used for swinging so they rely much on their claws to climb trees and of course eat their favorite foods. Pygmy Marmosets are gumovores and depend on gum and sap for survival. The claws that these teensy primates have are used for drilling into trees so they can feast on those most essential foods. Once they've gouged out a hole they suck and lick up the sap or gum found inside. In addition to their necessary diet, they do enjoy many fine snacks and their favorite are grasshoppers. They also delight in snacking on butterflies, frogs, lizards, buds, flowers, and snails.

They are very social creatures and active during the day. Jumping, climbing, playing, eating, and occasionally swinging among the long and flexible branches that the trees provide, are just a few things they do throughout the course of a day. Pygmy Marmosets communicate with body language, scents, open or closed mouth trills, squeaks, squeals, and another form of communication known as a twitter. Like other primates, they also spend time cleaning one another by removing insects and small particles of debris stuck within their fur.

Individual groups consist of up to twelve marmosets with about four to five adults. Only one female per group reproduces young and scientists argue as whether they are monogamous or polyandrous. They mate just three weeks after birth during what is known as postpartum estrus. Usually fraternal twins are born every five to six months although sometimes only one infant is born. Baby marmosets need constant care for the first several weeks after birth and they are cared for by their mother, father, and other adults within the group. The average lifespan of Pygmy Marmosets in the wild averages about eleven to twelve years; if kept in a zoo, they can live up into their early twenties.

Should you ever have the privilege of visiting one of our world's amazing Tropical Rain Forests, you may be fortunate to see one of these unique monkeys but they would be hard to spot. The best chance of catching a glimpse of the unique Pygmy Marmoset is looking at night where they may found be nestled on the top of branches, snuggled in the hole of a tree, or comfortably positioned on top of mangled vines - they rarely, if ever touch the ground.

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