Marmoset, << MAHR muh zeht, >> is one of the world’s smallest kinds of monkey. Most marmosets are less than 1 foot (30 centimeters) long, not including the tail, and weigh from 10 to 12 ounces (300 to 350 grams). The thick, soft coats of marmosets range in color from silvery-white to dark gray or brown. Patches of hair stick out from the head and ears of some marmosets. Unlike most other monkeys, marmosets have claws instead of nails. They live in trees and walk on all four legs, much like squirrels. Marmosets feed mainly on insects and fruit. They also chew holes in certain trees to eat the gum or sap. Most marmosets live in groups of three to eight in the tropical forests and woodland plains of Central and South America.
Loading the player...Pygmy marmoset
More than 20 species of marmosets exist. The pygmy marmoset is 51/2 to 61/4 inches (14 to 16 centimeters) long and weighs between 5 and 7 ounces (150 and 200 grams). Pygmy marmosets are found from southern Colombia to southeastern Peru, and in parts of Ecuador and Brazil. Other marmosets live in parts of northern and central South America, especially Brazil.
Marmosets are kept as pets and are used in medical research. They are threatened by the increasing destruction of their tropical forest habitat.
