Get up close and personal with some of our smallest residents
We have several species of small monkeys that call Symbio Wildlife Park. These species include the Golden Lion Tamarin, Pygmy Marmoset, Cotton Top Tamarin and the Common Marmoset
There are many species of Tamarin and Marmoset monkeys, with new species still being discovered and described today. Both of these groups of monkeys only occur in Central and South America.
Many Marmosets and Tamarins form monogamous pair bonds and show substantial paternal care of young, the father often carrying the babies on his back just as much as the mother.
These monkeys range in weight from only 140 – 900 grams, however, their thick fur and long tails deceptively make them look larger and heavier. Pygmy marmosets are the smallest of all monkey species.
Both marmosets and tamarins are considered to be the most primitive monkeys. Their thumbs are not opposable and they have claws on all digits except for their big toes, which have nails. They do not have prehensile tails and they also lack the ability to change their facial expressions. Twin births are common. All other primate species usually give birth to only one young at a time.
- Male Marmosets and Tamarins are such doting dads, it’s not uncommon for them to lose weight while rearing the young, due to constantly caring and fussing over the babies.
- Different species of Tamarins and Marmosets often form large mixed groups, with the different species specialising in sourcing different foods for all the group members to share.
New World monkeys, suborder Platyrrhini, are widely distributed throughout the wooded parts of Central and South America from southern Mexico southward into Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, northeastern Argentina, Para guay, Bolivia, Peru in the Amazonian drainage system, Ecuador east of the Andes and on the west coast south to about the equator The altitudinal range is from sea level to about 3000 m above in the Colombian Andes.