Pygmy Marmoset

(Callithrix pygmaea)




Facts about this animal

The pygmy marmoset is the smallest marmoset and one of the smallest living primates. Adults are about 13 cm long with a tail of about 20 cm and weight 113 to 199 g. The fur is buff and gray with yellow and green striations, which give it a grizzled effect on the head and back and a vague banded effect on the tail. They have long hair on their heads and chests giving the appearance of a mane. Pygmy Marmosets are exudativore-insectivores and spend the majority of their time gouging holes into trees or vines with their sharp lower teeth and then eating the gum, sap, resin, or latex that is exuded. They are found in groups of two to six. The group is made up of an adult pair and its offspring. The monogamy practiced by this species is notable because monogamy is fairly rare in both mammals and primates.

Did you know?
that pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the world? On an average adults weigh just 119 g and have a head-body-lenght of 136 mm.


Suborder SIMIAE
Name (Scientific) Callithrix pygmaea
Name (English) Pygmy Marmoset
Name (French) Ouistiti pygmée ou Ouistiti mignon
Name (German) Zwergseidenäffchen
Name (Spanish) Tití Enano
Local names Brazil: Mico-leãozinho
CITES Status Appendix II
CMS Status Not listed



Photo Copyright by
Malene Thyssen



Range Upper Amazon basin. Subspecies pygmaea in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, subspecies niveiventris in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru.
Habitat Tropical rainforest
Wild population Unknown. Because of their size, mobility and coloration, it is almost impossible to count the pygmy marmosets living in the South American forests.
Zoo population 533 reported to ISIS (2007). Most of these belong to the nominate subspecies but there is also a small population of Cebuella pygmaea niveiventris in Europe.

In the Zoo

Pygmy Marmoset


How this animal should be transported

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


Find this animal on ZooLex


Photo Copyright by
Wilfried Berns

Why do zoos keep this animal

The pygmy marmoset is primarily kept for educational purposes because it is the smallest neotropical primate and a suitable species for familiarizing the public with the Amazonian rainforest, in particular if kept in mixed exhibits.


Pygmy 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.