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, and the smallest monkey, with its body length ranging from (excluding the tail). Males weigh around , and females only .

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 a ringed tail that can be as long as its body. In common with other Callitrichinids, it has claws instead of nails on all its digits except the big toe. They are omnivorous, feeding on fruit, leaves, insects, and sometimes even small reptiles. Their small weight allows them to reach the very highest leaves of a tree, and to exploit the otherwise little- used food sources there. Much of their diet, however, comes from tapping trees for sap (tame marmosets can eat most things humans eat). 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. 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

References

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the Pygmy marmoset ''(Cebuella pygmaea)''
• Video, Pictures and Information on Pygmy Marmosets
• Primate Info Net ''Callithrix pygmaea'' Factsheet
• Twin albino pygmy marmosets born in Sweden
• Callicebus moloch

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