Marmosets are highly active, living in the upper canopy of forest trees, and feeding on insects, fruit and leaves. They have long lower incisors, which allow them to chew holes in tree trunks and branches to harvest the gum inside; some species are specialized feeders on gum. Marmosets live in family groups of 3 to 15, consisting of one to two breeding females, an unrelated male, their offspring and occasionally extended family members and unrelated individuals. Their mating systems are highly variable and can include monogamy, polygyny and occasionally polyandry. In most species, fraternal twins are usually born, but triplets are not unknown. Like other callitrichines, marmosets are characterized by a high degree of cooperative care of the young and some food sharing and tolerated theft. Adult males, females other than the mother, and older offspring participate in carrying infants. Most groups scent mark and defend the edges of their ranges, but it is unclear if they are truly territorial, as group home ranges greatly overlap. Learn more by watching this video: The tricky job of housing Callitrichids
Scientific Name: Callithrix penicillata The black-tufted-ear marmoset is native to the Brazilian Central Plateau. They typically live in rainforests, high in the trees but below the canopy.
Scientific Name: Callithrix jacchus The common marmoset originates from Brazil. Its habitat ranges from the edge of forests to the deep forests, but they also appear in fields.
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