Primates are an order of mammals made up of an important variety of species, among which we can find from individuals weighing a few grams to others that can reach 200 kg.
Primates are commonly known as monkeys. However, this last term lacks taxonomic use and is rather a generic denomination. Due to their various peculiarities, they are a group highly affected by human actions. Most are included in one of the classifications of the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Within these particularities we have their size, because some are extremely small, which is very attractive due to their peculiarity. Here is an article on our site about the 10 smallest primates in the world.
Berthe's mouse lemur
Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae) is considered the smallest monkey species in the world, with an average size of 10 cm Not including its long tail of an average of 13 cm, the average weight is around 30 gr. The coloration of the coat is reddish with cream or gray, its eyes are characteristically large.
Its habitat is dry deciduous forests and its omnivorous diet is based on fruits and gum from trees, but in the dry season it resorts to insects. The widespread destruction of the habitat for the development of agriculture has caused the species to be classified in critical state of extinction.
Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) is the smallest species of monkey in the new world and is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This tiny primate is restricted to riparian forests of western Amazonia and depends on suitable ecosystems for its subsistence. The average size and weight are 13 cm and 119 gr respectively. The coloration of the fur is between beige and gray with the presence of yellow and black tones. It is an omnivorous animal, its main food is the sap, rubber and latex that it obtains by drilling trees and certain insects such as grasshoppers.
Hunting, illegal trade and habitat destruction have caused the species to be listed as vulnerable. Previously it had been considered as a subspecies to Cebuella pygmaea niveiventris, but recent studies [1] have concluded that this is a distinct species, thus distinguishing between western pygmy tamarins (Cebuella pygmaea) and eastern pygmy marmoset (Cebuella niveiventris).
Ghost Tarsier
The ghost tarsier (Tarsius tarsier) is a species of primate native to Asia, specifically to several islands in Indonesia. Males weigh between 118 and 130 gr, while females are smaller, with weights ranging from 102 to 114 gr The body measures on average about 15 cm not including the long tail that can even exceed 20 cm. However, it is certainly also found among the smaller monkeys.
Inhabits forest ecosystems in both primary and secondary forests, also in mangroves and has a certain tolerance for disturbed areas, but requires adequate bush cover. It is entirely carnivorous, hunting live prey such as insects and small vertebrates. It is classified as vulnerable,mainly due to the impact it suffers due to habitat alteration due to deforestation.
Furry-eared dwarf lemur
The hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis) is a species of primate endemic to Madagascar, like the rest of the lemurs. The body of the dwarf hairy-eared lemur averages about 13 cm with an average tail length of 17 cm and the weight does not exceed 100 grThe coloration is a combination of brownish gray, light gray and reddish brown.
It is an omnivorous animal, which mainly consumes fruits, leaves, honey and insects. It has been declared in danger of extinction due to the destruction of the humid forests and tropical jungles it inhabits.
Greater Dwarf Lemur
The greater dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus major) is another species found among the smaller monkeys, also native to Madagascar. The average length and weight are 21 cm and about 380 gr, not including the tail which is longer than the body and can measure up to about 30 cm. The fur ranges from gray to reddish brown on some parts of the body.
This animal hibernates in tree holes or underground burrows, for which it stores fat in its tail. It inhabits lowland forests with the presence of water and is classified as vulnerable,due to habitat modification by agriculture and hunting.
Pygmy Galago
The Dwarf Galago (Galagoides demidoff) is native to Africa, considered the smallest species on this continent. They have an average length of 12 cm excluding the tail which has an average length of 25 cm and the weight varies between 45 and almost 90 grThe fur ranges from bright red to grayish brown.
Inhabits both primary and secondary humid forests and savannah, riparian, deciduous and gallery forests. It feeds mainly on fruits, insects and snails; is rated least concern.
Image: Lavanguardia.com
Azara's Night Monkey
The Azara night monkey (Aotus azarae) is one of the smallest of its group, with a body length that does not exceed 40 cmand with a tail that goes between 30 and 40 cm. Its coloration is combined between white, brown and black.
It is a small primate native to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. It inhabits low, primary and secondary forests, also in seasonally flooded, dry semi-deciduous and gallery forest areas. It feeds on fruits, nectar, flowers and insects. It is rated least concern
Central American Squirrel Monkey
The Central American squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii) is characterized by its small size, thinness and long tail, with a length range of 20 to 30 cmand the tail with an average of 40 cm. In terms of weight, it ranges from 500 gr to 1 kg The coloration is yellowish brown and paler shades.
It is a native species of Costa Rica and Panama that inhabits seasonally flooded forests and alluvial plains. It feeds on insects and fruits. Habitat loss due to agriculture has caused it to be classified as endangered.
White-fronted Capuchin
The white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons) is one of the smallest species of the capuchin group, but weighs more than the rest of the aforementioned species. The weight range oscillates between between 1 and 3.3 kg, in terms of dimensions it does not exceed 50 cmand the tail measures almost the same as the body. The general coloration is light brown and yellow but it presents certain light and dark combinations in some areas of the body.
It is native to Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, inhabiting dry deciduous forests, tropical lowland forests, also rainy, seasonally flooded and savannahs. It feeds on fruits and insects and is listed as least concern.
Image: en.123rf.com
Bearded Capuchin
Members of the bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) species average about 39 cm, with a long tail that can reach close to of the 50 cm. As for their weight, they can have masses between 1 and 4 kg The coloration is yellow, beige and black.
It is native to Brazil, it develops in varied habitats that include dry, deciduous forests, mangroves and gallery forests. It has a wide diet that includes fruits, seeds and small animals. It is able to rely on the use of tools to obtain food. It is classified as Near Threatened due to heavy hunting.
Other small primates
- Toothed Tarsier (Tarsius dentatus)
- Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
- Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
- fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)
- Dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus minusculus)
- Thomas' Galago (Galagoides thomasi)
- Vanzolini's squirrel monkey (Saimiri vanzolinii)
