The pygmy marmoset - the world's smallest monkey
The pygmy marmoset is a monkey. In fact, it is the smallest monkey in the world. They are so tiny, one can fit in a grown-up human's hand!
Because they are so tiny, pygmy marmosets can become prey for wild cats, hawks, and snakes.
Luckily pygmy marmosets have a super-flexible neck and can turn their head backward to watch for predators.
They live in South America in dense rain forests where there are lots of hiding places.
Pygmy marmosets do a lot of climbing because tree sap is their favourite food. They cling to the side of a tree trunk and bite a hole in the bark. When the tree sap oozes out, they lap it up with their tongue. The sap also attracts insects that the marmosets eat, too. |
A baby clings on to its mother.
They talk by chattering and trilling in high-pitched voices. They also make faces to show surprise, fear, or just feeling fine.
Because they are so small and cute, people often want to have one at home, even though monkeys do not make good pets. They are messy eaters, and they bite when scared, angry, or frustrated. And nothing in your home would be safe when a small but mighty marmoset starts monkeying around!
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/mammals/pygmy-marmoset