It is generally found in evergreen and river-edge forests and is a gum-feeding specialist, or a gummivore.
Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaOrder: PrimatesFamily: CallitrichidaeGenus: CebuellaSpecies: C. pygmaeaLifespan: 17-20 years in captivityAbout 83% of the pygmy marmoset population lives in stable troops of two to nine individuals, including a dominant male, a breeding female, and up to four successive litters of offspring.
Pygmy marmoset/finger monkey Behavior:Positive welfare indicators include calm locomotion (relaxed gait), relaxed allogrooming, exploration,play and affiliative behaviours with other marmosets such as relaxed huddling and food sharing.It is a good sign if marmosets are generally relaxed in the company of their social group and around the human caregivers.
Negative welfare indicators in captive common marmosets include excessive scent marking, scratching, gouging, agitated locomotion (excluding during play) and vigilance (inactive alert behaviour).
Pygmy marmoset/finger monkey diet:In CaptivityIn captivity, marmosets need to be provided with a range of appetising and nutritious foodMarmosets are selective eatersFeeding affects growth, disease resistance, lifespan, breeding and susceptibility to stressCommercially available dry pellets containing the necessary nutritional components of their diet should be supplemented with a variety of other foods:– fresh and dried fruit– vegetables– seeds and nuts– animal protein (e.g.
insects, mealworms, boiled chicken and hard boiled eggs)Marmosets should also have access to as much water as they wish to drinkThey need dietary supplements to avoid metabolic bone diseaseVitamin D3 should be given as a supplement as the marmosets cannot make it in their own bodyFeed marmosets several times a day to match their natural eating timesProvide food in several food dishes, and water at several points, to make sure everyone gets somePlace the food dishes at least a metre above the ground (marmosets prefer to feed and eat higher up where they feel safer, especially if they are carrying infants on their back)Marmosets are susceptible to other problems related to diet (e.g.