An ordinary marmoset, also called a white-eared marmoset or wistiti, is an inhabitant of Brazil. In the choice of places of residence they are very unpretentious. They are suitable for both the forests located in the savannah, and the coastal, and the forest remote from the sea. Primates are very emotional and vividly express their feelings. For them, different types of communication behavior are of particular importance.
Description
The marmoset is ordinary, the photo of which is in the article, of a small size. Its weight is 260-320 grams. The body is 18 to 25 in length and about 30 cm in tail. The males are slightly larger than the females. The head is round in shape, there is a white diamond on the forehead. Round eyes are quite expressive. Near the ears are white long tufts of hair resembling brushes. Black tail with gray and black rings. The coat is gray-black with reddish blotches, long and soft to the touch.
On the thumb of the hind limb, a claw-shaped nail that helps to deftly move through the trees. In addition, they have sharp incisors, thanks to which they are able to make holes in the trunks of trees. When moving, four limbs are used, often jumping from one tree to another.
Behavior. Lifestyle
Marmosettes live in packs (groups), in which there are up to 15 individuals, occupying an area of 0.7 to 6 hectares. Between themselves communicate facial expressions, chirping sounds, as well as the position of the body. Special care and love surround the younger generation. The pack has a very interesting hierarchy:
- A leader or an adult male dominates only sexually mature males. He does not notice young growth and adult females.
- The alpha female behaves in a similar way.
They mark their territory with a secret released from special glands. After the onset of puberty in the young, the parents, i.e. the leader and alpha female, expel them from the pack.
With its habits, the marmoset ordinary (white-eared) resembles a squirrel. Primates are calm, do not show aggression. They are shy by nature. However, if the marmosettes are too scared, then their screech is heard very far. The leader is able to take on a terrifying appearance not only before the appearance of the enemy, but also to assert his authority. In a calm environment, their twittering is barely audible, and the sounds are somewhat similar to the birds chirping. They are active from early morning until dusk. They wake up thirty minutes after the appearance of sunlight, and go to bed thirty minutes before they enter. They sleep in the hollows of trees or thicker lianas.
The favorite pastime of the marmoset ordinary is the care of her coat. They devote half a day to this process, as well as the search for food. Other times they just bask in the sun. Monkeys, stretched out, capable of about thirty minutes is without movement. In natural conditions, primates have many enemies, including owls, tree snakes.
Reproduction. Baby development
Females at the age of two years choose a partner, of which there may be several. Pregnancy lasts an average of 145 days, often two babies are born. In rare cases, three. The female is able to give birth twice a year.
Taking care of the babies is considered the responsibility of the pack, so one newborn has up to five nannies. The male is mainly engaged in upbringing, and the female feeds the offspring and restores her strength. The weight of the newborn is about 25 grams. Two weeks after the birth of marmosets, ordinary mummies hang on Mom’s stomach, then they move to the back to their father, and all members of the pack begin to wear them. When they turn one month old, they begin to molt, and they become covered with hair, like an adult primate. By the third month, the cubs begin to walk on their own. Breastfeeding stops at six months, and at twelve puberty begins, which lasts up to two years. By eighteen months, the offspring is becoming completely independent. During this period, they should leave the pack and start their own family.
Nutrition
In the wild, the common marmoset feeds with the help of incisor teeth. They go in search of food in small groups. The diet is very diverse, they prefer:
- insects and their larvae;
- chicks;
- small rodents;
- frogs;
- berries;
- fruit;
- gum;
- resins;
- wood juice.
As soon as the release of juice begins, the monkey begins to lick it. She spends quite a large part of her time devoted to the search for food for this process.
Fresh water is collected on shoots, flowers or leaves of plants. Light weight makes it easy to overcome obstacles in the form of thin branches to get to the fruit.
At home, eat:
- chicken meat;
- insects
- snails;
- dairy products - cottage cheese and milk;
- boiled eggs.
Adapting to a new type of food is quick and easy.
Spread
Ordinary marmoset originally lived in the Brazilian northeastern regions. In vivo perfectly exist:
- in moist forests;
- in tropics with sparse and deciduous vegetation;
- on the Atlantic coast;
- in city parks;
- on farm plantations.
At home, these primates began to contain, starting in the sixties of the twentieth century in such states as Santa Catarina, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro. Animals quickly become accustomed to life in captivity and are strongly attached to their master.
There are about forty species of marmosets. The optimum temperature for a comfortable stay is considered to be 19-25 degrees. However, some species have adapted to survive in harsh environmental conditions - drought for ten months, seasonal rains. In addition to the natural range, marmosets were identified in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.
Marmoset vulgaris: interesting facts
Among the curious facts:
- Age-related changes in the brain, as well as its structure, are close to similar processes in the human brain. This was the reason to use them for studies of neurological pathologies, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Packs maintain a specific order.
- The leader and the alpha female give peculiar signals, expressing their dissatisfaction, for example, raise the wool on end, arch the back, etc.
- The dominant individual when meeting with young growth turns to her backside and raises its tail. Such a gesture means a threat signal. And with other primates, this is humility and submission.
- They go down quite rarely on the ground, they can climb to the very top of the tree.
- There are several cases of monkeys carrying dangerous infectious diseases.
Conclusion
The life expectancy of a marmoset is from 10 to 12 years. There is evidence that in captivity one primate lived up to 18.5 years. It should be noted that scientists recorded high mortality among offspring. Of the hundred babies born, sixty-seven survive. In vivo, this situation is dangerous for the extinction of the population.