Photo: Pygmy marmoset twins born at the Bronx Zoo
mongabay.com
January 3, 2008
Twin pygmy marmosets born to three-year-old mom, Squirt, and seven-year-old dad, King at the Bronx Zoo on November 11 are doing well, according to zoo officials.
The Pygmy Marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea), native to the Amazon rainforest is the world's smallest monkey, with its body length ranging from 14-16 cm and its heads just a little larger than the size of a quarter. Adult males weigh around 140 g (5 ounces), while females weigh 120 g (4.2 ounces).
The Pygmy Marmoset has a unique nocturnal feeding habit, using its chisel-like incisor teeth to gouge holes in bark in order to feed on tree sap. The species is fast-moving, somewhat like a rat or a squirrel, and is capable of leaping up to 5 meters (16 fee et).
Like other marmoset species, males are active in parental care, carrying infants and sharing food.
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