Common Marmoset
Common Marmoset
Callithrix jacchus
Common Marmoset
Common Marmoset
Callithrix jacchus
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Class
Mammalia -
Order
Primates -
Familly
Callithricidae
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16–21cm
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300–325g
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4½ months
-
2
-
up to 15 years in zoos
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Diet
omnivorous (gum, sap, fruit, insects) -
Habitat
forest, mangroves, plantations -
Range
north-east Brazil -
Population in the wild
En diminution -
IUCN REDLIST status
Recognisable by the tufts of white hairs around their ears, Common Marmosets live in small family groups of up to about 15. The whole group helps look after the young (usually twins), with the mother taking them back to breastfeed – this is a way of increasing the chances of the young surviving as well as developing parenting skills in young members of the group. Babies grow up quickly and become independent at the age of 5 months.
Long hunted for the illegal pet trade and biomedical research, Common Marmosets are now widespread and quite common in many regions. However, they are still threatened by the destruction of their habitat, especially in the north of their range.