Pygmy Marmoset

 Pygmy Marmoset

Introducing the world's ugliest primate .... the marmoset!  These small monkeys have thick, grizzly fur and a flat nose, and are described in their home land as " little lion". These rain forest creatures are among the world's smallest primates, so one would think that looking for food would be a problem. But the truth is, this tiny monkey lives off of tree gum and tree sap alone! It's front teeth are specially designed for making incisions in wood.

Unlike most monkeys, the marmoset uses its tail as a counterweight to balance itself on the branches it uses as pathways, as it is a creature that lives mostly in trees. No branches will break under this critter, as it is only 4.9 ounces!  The marmoset is native to many rain forests in Brazil, Columbia, and Ecuador.  

The pygmy marmoset can use vocal, body, and chemical signals to alert its family and other pygmy marmosets to danger. This is handy, as most marmosets usually live in groups of 2-6. A life span of a pygmy marmoset is usually 11-12 years in the wild, but in captivity can last up to 20 years old.