The marmosets are the common name of platyrrhine apes of the callitrichid family that are only distributed in Central and South America. Some of the marmoset species are kept as pets although our site is totally against of this practice.
The currently recorded number of callitrichids is 42 species, divided into 7 genera: Calibella, Cebuella, Callimico, Leontophithecus, Callithrix, Mico and Saguinus.
If you continue reading this article on our site, you will see some examples of this peculiar genus of primates among the various types of marmosets. Discover them!
Cotton-headed Marmoset
This beautiful animal belongs to the genus Saguinus. The cottonhead tamarin, Saguinus oedipus, is also known as the white-headed tamarin, redskin tamarin, or cottony tamarin, among many other names. It is distributed in some areas of Colombia.
Its size is small, since its body plus tail barely reaches 37 cm, with a weight of 500 gr. It feeds on insects, ripe fruits, sap and nectar.
It is in a critical state of conservation, although some Colombian entities are struggling to save this spectacular marmoset, creating forest sanctuaries and conservation plans for this species.
Genus Cebuella
The Pygmy Marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea, is the smallest of the 42 species. Unfortunately it is coveted for its beauty and relative tameness by pet traffickers. This marmoset is the only representative of the genus Cebuella.
Measures between 14 and 18 cm, plus the non-prehensile tail that exceeds the length of the body. It feeds on the sap of some plants, fruits and insects. Sometimes it even feeds on lizards.
It shows off a very spectacular coat mottled with black, yellowish and orange tones. Trim your head with a kind of compact mane. For this reason it is also known as lion tamarin.
It is not considered threatened yet, although its decrease is confirmed. He lives in the upper Amazon, encompassing the following countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Genus Callimico
The Goeldi's myco, Callimico goeldii, is the only representative of the genus Callimico.
Inhabits a very restricted area of the Upper Amazon, with specimens found in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Brazil. It measures about 30 cm in length plus its long tail that exceeds the length of the body. They weigh about 400 to 680 gr.
Its coat is silky and compact throughout the body, except on the belly, which is very sparse. The color is shiny black. It feeds on sap, nectar, insects and fungi. It is threatened, as it is hunted for keeping as a pet.
Genus Leontopithecus
This Genus is made up of 4 species: pink lion tamarin; golden-headed lion tamarin; black lion tamarin and black-faced lion tamarin. All these species are highly threatened.
Black-faced lion tamarin, Leontopithecus caissara. This marmoset is in critical condition. It is endemic to Brazil and its entire body is covered by a dense golden-copper mantle, except for its face, tail, arms and hands, which are black.
Genus Callithrix
The Genus Callithrix is composed of 6 species: Marmoset common; black-eared tamarin; black brush tamarin; buff-headed tamarin; white-eared tamarin; Geoffroy's marmoset. Most of these species are endemic to Brazil, and are threatened.
El Geoffroy's marmoset, Callithrix geoffroyi, also called the white-headed marmoset, is the most common pet marmoset, as there are hatcheries of this species. Not threatened.
This species is endemic to Brazil, specifically to the departments of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. It measures about 24 cm, plus the tail that measures something more than the length of the body. It is a spectacular species, as its mantle is mottled with various shades of black, grey, white and orange. His face is fringed with white hair and his ears have plumes.
Gender Mico
The Genus Mico is composed of 14 species: Marmoset silver; white marmoset; black-tailed tamarin; Marmoset Brand; Snethlange's marmoset; black-headed tamarin; Manicore marmoset; Acari marmoset; tassel-eared tamarin; Aripuana marmoset; Rondon marmoset; gold and black marmoset; Maues tamarin and white-faced tamarin.
The Silver Marmoset, Mico Argentatus, lives in groups of 6 to 10 individuals. Only the dominant female reproduces, as she emits a pheromone that prevents other females from ovulating
Measures between 18 and 28 cm, with a weight of 300-400 gr. It is not threatened. It lives in western Brazil and eastern Bolivia. It feeds on eggs, insects, fruit, sap and reptiles.
Black-tailed Marmoset
The Black-tailed Marmoset, Mico melanurus, belongs to the genus Mico. It is the southernmost among the marmosets, as it is distributed in southern Brazil, the Paraguayan Chaco, and eastern Bolivia. It is not threatened. It measures about 22 cm, plus the 25 of its tail. It weighs an average of 380 gr.
It has a brownish-brown back mottled with white on its body, delimited on both sides by whitish bands. Its thick tail is black.
Genus Saguinus
This genus is the most numerous among the marmosets, as it is made up of 15 species: bald tamarin; baby milk monkey; Panamanian tamarin; emperor tamarin; marbled tamarin; lipped tamarin; gray marmoset; Martins Tamarind; white-mantled tamarin; blond-handed tamarin; mustachioed tamarin; black tamarin; black-necked tamarin; cotton-top tamarin and golden-mantled tamarin.
The Emperor Marmoset, Saguinus imperator, lives in the Bolivian, Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. His huge mustache is what gave him his name at the time, as it recalled the characteristic mustache of the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Its body measures up to 30 cm, plus the non-prehensile tail of about 40 cm. Some specimens can weigh up to 500 gr. It feeds on sap, fruits, insects, small vertebrates, eggs, flowers and leaves. It is not threatened. There are 2 subspecies.
