PYGMY MARMOSET (Cebuella pygmaea)

  • Height: 12 – 16 cm
  • Weight: 85 – 140 g
  • Best season: All year
  • Sightings: 95%

The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world, found in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin in South America. There are two recognized subspecies: the western pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) and the eastern pygmy marmoset (Cebuella niveiventris). They are known for their tiny size, agile behavior, and vibrant appearance, making them one of the most fascinating species in the rainforest.

Pigmy marmoset is one of the most commom specie of primate we can observe around the lodge as we do jungle hikes on terra firme áreas .

Omnivorous diet

Primarily insectivores, feeding on insects like beetles and ants, but they also consume fruits, tree sap, nectar, and small vertebrates like lizards and birds.Their diet Pygmy Marmoset includes gums from trees, which they extract by gnawing on tree bark.

Behavior: Social Structure

Live in small family groups, often consisting of around 2–8 individuals. These groups work together for feeding, grooming, and protecting each other.

Communication

They communicate using a range of high-pitched vocalizations and gestures, which are essential for maintaining group cohesion.

Activity

They are diurnal (active during the day) and are known for their highly energetic and agile nature.

Reproduction

Females give birth to 1–2 offspring after a gestation period of about 140–150 days. The young are typically carried by the father or other group members, especially in the early stages of life.

Ecological Role

Seed Dispersers, they contribute to seed dispersal and the regeneration of forest ecosystems, particularly by spreading the seeds of fruits and plants they consume. Pest Control, their consumption of insects helps regulate insect populations in their habitats.

Fun Facts

Due to their small size, they can cling to tree trunks using specialized claws and are highly adept at leaping from branch to branch.

They are often referred to as “the pocket monkey” because of their tiny size.

Conservation Status
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Although they are not currently at risk of extinction, their population faces threats from deforestation, illegal pet trade, and habitat fragmentation.