A pygmy marmoset was born on the 23rd May. The youngster can now be seen living with the family group (which consists of mum, dad, twins born last year and another, older, sibling) opposite the entrance to the Lemur World complex.

The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world as they only grow to around 16 cm long (excluding the tail which can grow up to around 22 cm long).

They are native to the tropical rainforests found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and feed mainly on the sap or gum from the trees.  Pygmy marmosets use claws that are specially adapted for climbing trees, (a trait unique to this species) and they also have specially adapted teeth for gouging holes to make the sap flow. They also eat fruit, buds and insects.

30th June 2008

 

 

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