Pygmy marmoset is a very small monkey, reaching 11.7 – 15.2 cm in length. Its tail measures about 15.2 cm. Adults weigh just over 100g on average.

Pygmy marmosets are tiny inhabitants of the South American jungle, living mainly in trees. They live in close-knit family groups, creating deep relationships and making effective communication in complex languages. This is the smallest monkey in the world.

This monkey fits in the palm of a human hand

The teeth allow them to eat natural wood gums (resin, sap) and the incisors are adapted to create grooves in the bark that allow the sap to flow freely. The monkey moves on all fours and can also make very long jumps from one tree to another.

Pygmy marmoset monkeys mainly eat gum in wood or tree sap

Pygmy marmosets have a special diet, they mainly eat gums in wood or tree sap. The animal bites the bark or branch with specially adapted teeth to make the sap flow out and then lick the sap. Tree sap is also a good prey for insects, especially butterflies. The diet is supplemented by nectar and fruit.

Pygmy marmosets form groups of 2 – 10 members. They consist of one or two adult males and one or two females, of which one has usually given birth to her first litter.

The Pygmy marmoset’s communication skills and complexity amaze scientists and animal fans. They make special sounds while feeding, while raising their young, while moving and when near other species. Long conversations between group members often occur when they are more than 10 m apart or when they are in different groups.