Pygmy Marmoset

Cebuella pygmaea

The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world! It loves to swing from tree to tree in the rainforest and eat sweet nectar and insects.

Habitat: Rainforest

Appearance

The Pygmy Marmoset is the world's smallest monkey, with golden-brown fur flecked with gray and black. It has tawny underparts, a long tail often ringed, and small, tufted ears. Its tiny size makes it visually distinct.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPrimatesFamilyCallitrichidaeGenusCebuella

Pygmy Marmoset

Interesting facts

Pygmy marmoset dads often carry their twin babies on their backs!

They are 'gum-feeders,' making holes in trees to drink their sticky sap.

They can turn their heads almost 180 degrees to spot predators!

This is the world's smallest monkey, weighing less than a deck of cards!

Special abilities

Pygmy Marmoset can gnaw tiny holes in tree bark because of specialized chisel-like teeth that help them reach nutritious sap.

Pygmy Marmoset has powerful hind legs that help them leap over 5 meters (15 feet) between branches with ease.

Pygmy Marmoset can communicate using ultrasonic calls because of unique vocal cords that help send secret messages.

Measurements & details

Length: 11-15 cm
Weight: 0.1-0.14 kg
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Top Speed: 20 km/h
Litter Size: 1-2
Gestation: 119-140 days

Diet & Feeding

They mainly eat tree sap, but also enjoy insects, fruits, and nectar from their forest home.

Primary Foods

Tree sap
Insects
Fruits
Nectar

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Harpy Eagle

Harpia harpyja

Large raptor that hunts monkeys from above.

eaten by

Tayra

Eira barbara

Weasel-like mammal that climbs trees to hunt.

eaten by

Boa Constrictor

Boa constrictor

Large snake that ambushes small primates.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Arboreal

Climb high with animals who love living in trees! These agile creatures find their food, shelter, and even raise their families among the branches.

Tool Use

Discover amazing animals that cleverly use objects from their environment to help them find food, build homes, or protect themselves. They're nature's clever inventors!