Photo: Pygmy marmoset twins born at the Bronx Zoo
mongabay.com
January 3, 2008
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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.
 Twin marmosets were born at the Bronx Zoo on November 11 to three-year-old mom, Squirt, and seven-year-old dad, King. Although his name implies royalty, his primary responsibility is child-rearing — shown here giving his little ones a “ride”. This is Squirt’s third litter and the family can be seen at the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit. The Bronx Zoo is open everyday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM in winter. Photo taken January 3, 2007 by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS |
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.