Common Marmoset

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

The common marmoset is the best known and most frequently kept callithrichid species.It reaches a head-body length of 19-25 cm, the tail measures 27-35 cn, the find foot 52-68 mm. Females have a body weight od 260-350 g, males up to 450 g.

The common marmoset is characteriseed by conspicuous tufts. The crown is blackish with a white blaze on the forehead. The body is mottled grey-brown, the posterior part of the back finely banded with grey or orange and black. The tail is ringed.

Common marmosets have well developed epidermal scent glands and scent-marking behaviours, suggesting that chemical communication is of great importance in the complex social structures of this species. They live in extended family groups of 3 to 13 animals with well defined territories of two to five hectares. The family groups are probably structured around one breeding pair which share the caring of the young with sibling juveniles and related adults. After a pregnancy period of 141-145 days, 1-4, usually twins, are born. The neonates weigh 25-35 g. The young are weaned at 40-120 days when they weigh 60-150 g. The young become sexually mature at 18-24 months. Lengevity is 8-12 years in human care.

Marmosets eat a varied diet which includes fruit, insects, lizards, eggs, small birds and the gum or exudate of trees. The exudate provides a high energy food source in seasons when fruit is unavailable.

Did you know?
that the United Kingdom is the largest exporter of common marmosets? From 1975 to 2006 the UK reported the export of 8103 live common marmosets representing 43% of the world trade. As a general rule, these animals were ex situ bred and often intended for biomedical research. International trade for zoos is rather insignificant, but zoos occasionally have to care for illegally traded marmostes confisctaed by national CITES Authorities.

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	PRIMATES
Suborder	SIMIAE
Family	CALLITHRICHIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Callithrix jacchus
Name (English)	Common Marmoset
Name (French)	Ouistiti à toupet blanc
Name (German)	Weissbüscheläffchen
Name (Spanish)	Tití Común
Local names	Brazil: Sagui-comum, Sagui-do-nordeste, Sauim
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Claire Watson

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Brazil
Habitat	A variety of tropical, mostly dry forest types including Atlantic coastal forest, dry, seasonal, semideciduous inland forests, riverine forests in dry thorn scrub habitat or caatinga, and the savanna forest or cerrado in central Brazil.
Wild population	Unknown, but stable (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	614 reported to ISIS (2006)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 31 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

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Photo Copyright by
Claire Watson

Why do zoos keep this animal

The common marmoset is not threatened in the wild, and therefore primarily kept for educational purposes as a typical marmoset and a suitable species for familiarizing the public with Brazilian forest fauna, in particular if kept in mixed exhibits.

Common marmosets may also be kept in "walk-thru" exhibits allowing for close encounters between the animals and people. The public should, however, not be allowed to feed the monkeys.

It is not unusual that zoos keep common marmosets for animal welfare reasons as these animals are often confiscated by customs, conservation or veterinary authorities, and zoos may agree to host them.

How this animal should be kept

Common marmosets are social animals that live in pairs or family groups and should be kept accordingly.

In temperate and cold climates, common marmosets must have an indoor enclosure available. Minimum requirements for cage size vary greatly between countries. Even if lower measurements are prescribed, it is recommended that a surface of 10 m² / height 2.5 m be made available for a family group. Room temperature at least 20°C, in places higher (radiators). In the case of artificially lightened enclosures, the day phase should be around 12 hours. Ample vertical and horizontal branches are required for running, climbing and jumping, and horizontal benches or platforms allowing the group to sit together in close contact, and sleeping boxes should be provided in the upper part of the enclosure. Visual contact between groups kept in adjoining enclosures should be prevented.

Ideally, but not mandatory, they have also access to an outdoor enclosure if weather conditions permit. Preference should be given to larger exhibits with a grass cover, bushes and live trees in addition to dead trees, ropes, climbing frames etc. In such enclosures, the common marmosets could be associated with various tamarin species. Mixed exhibits may include also other compatible species such as sloths, tamanduas, agoutis and birds.

Food should be offered several times per day, It should consist of a variety of fruit and vegetables, and should be rich in animal proteins, minerals and vitamins. To keep the animals busy, honey, live insects, gummi arabicum or similar should be offered. In the case of animals kept exclusively indoors, or during the winter period, vitamin D3 should be supplemented.