“Also known as a finger monkey, a pygmy marmoset can leap a distance of 16 feet to get from one tree branch to another.”
Also known as pigmy monkeys, they are the inhabitants of the Amazon of South America. These are rather cute little creatures and are known as the “World’s Tiniest Monkey.” The weight of these monkeys even in their adulthood is only 4 ounces.
For you all monkey lovers out there, if you wanna know more about the finger monkey or also known as pygmy marmosets or pigmy monkeys.
Finger Monkey Breeds: What Are They?
With the scientific name Cebuella pygmaea, a finger monkey is a member of the Callitrichidae family, and also the Mammalia. These monkeys are the tiniest primates that exist currently. Due to their iconic tiny size, these animals are popularly regarded as pocket monkeys.
These monkeys were classified by scientists as New World Monkeys due to their size and nature. In fact, these monkeys are so small that scientists have a lot of unanswered questions. Still, if you wanna know more about the finger monkey, then we have all the information for you right here. Keep on scrolling down, then you will get to know about the finger monkey even more.
Pygmy Marmoset Facts
Before we get to know more about the finger monkey in detail, here are a few details that you need to understand the tiny little creature better.
| Main Prey | Tree Sap, Spiders, Insects, Fruits |
| Predators | Birds, Wildcats, Snakes |
| Habitat | Outskirts of tropical rainforest |
| Lifestyle | Troop |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Favorite Food | Tree Sap |
| Type | Mammal |
| Average Litter Size | 2 |
| Color | Black, brown, grey, white, tan |
| Top Speed | 24 mph |
| Weight | 85 – 140g (3 – 4.9oz) |
| Skin Type | Fur |
| Lifespan | 8 – 12 |
History & Evolution
Although they are tiny creatures, originally, they evolved from much larger ancestors. With their tiny size, they are able to climb even the weakest and tiny branches, like a squirrel. But scientifically speaking, these animals belong to the Animalia kingdom with phylum Chordata. Also, their subphylum consists of vertebrae.
Like most primates, the pigmy monkeys don’t have short nails. They have sharp and long nails that make it easier for the pygmy marmoset to grab onto the branches and trees. Therefore they are classified under the order of Primates, Mamalia. If we further narrow down the genetic code of these small primates, we would see that they belong to the suborder of Haplorini and the infraorder of semiliforms.
Types Of Pygmy Marmoset
Pygmy marmosets are one of the tiniest creatures out there. However, they can be found in various different parts of our planet. As a result, researchers have classified two types of pygmy marmosets according to their place of origin. But apart from the place of origin, there are hardly any differences that can set them apart.
- Eastern Pygmy Marmoset: These pygmy marmosets, as the name suggests, are found in the Brazilian state of Amazona and surrounding areas. These marmosets can also be found in certain places like north Bolivia and as far as eastern Peru.
- Western Pygmy Marmosets: These marmosets can be found in northern Ecuador and parts of Bolivia. These pygmy marmosets can also be found in areas of southern Columbia, eastern Peru, and north of Brazilian Rio Solimoes.
Habitat
The pigmy monkeys are known to live in areas around Columbia, Ecuador and Brazil in South America. They are extensively found near the Amazonian rainforests and riverside.
Since the finger monkeys are known to live and move in groups, so they live in trees that grow close together. This way the monkeys can easily jump from branch to branch and from tree to tree.
The trees are also a great sanctuary for the finger monkeys to save themselves from the predators. The brown and orange colored fur is easier to hide between the branches and trunks of the rainforest.
The finger monkeys are known to be shy animals and love to be hidden most of the time in the trees. Even the smallest of sounds may be like a danger to these little creatures.
Diet
Although the finger monkey is an omnivore, the primarily food that they like is tree sap. With their sharp teeth, the finger monkeys are able to dig deep holes on the tree trunks. These monkeys keep on digging until they find the tree sap.
Over time, you could see about 1300 holes dug on the tree trunk to look for tree sap,this happens when the finger monkey is very hungry. Although the finger monkeys are known to eat more than just tree sap, like fruits, leaves, butterflies, nectar and even small spiders.
The monkeys are known to grab the insects that they can find on the trees, these insects are a great source of food for the finger monkeys. Since the monkey is a tiny creature, they don’t eat as much to survive.
Reproduction, Babies, And Lifespan
It is important to know that the breeding season for the finger monkeys are throughout the year. Both the male and female are in charge for taking care of the little ones.
Being highly monogamous, the male and the female finger monkeys are known to stay with each other at all times. The gestation period is about 20 weeks for most pigmy monkeys. And at one time the female gives birth to about one to three babies.
The first few weeks of the littel one being born, the baby is carried on the back of the father. The father is the primarily caretaker, of the babies, and but when the baby is hungry, the baby is given to the mother.
On an average the finger monkey lifespan is about 12 years long. Although the area where they live depends a lot on their lifespan. And even lack of food can lead to malnutrition and shorten the lifespan.
Predators And Threats
As is apparent already, these monkeys have a lot of predators that they need to look out for. Due to their size, these monkeys can never take on bigger animals in full frontal assault. Rather, these monkeys rely heavily on the ability to camouflage or flee.
These primates live very high up on treetops. As a result, these primates face constant threats from eagles and other birds that are specifically carnivorous. Moreover, any tree-dwelling snakes can also be a big threat to these animals.
Another threat that these animals face is the loss of habitat. Due to heavy demand for wood and usable lands, swathes of forests are cleared As a result, pygmy marmosets are losing their habitats rapidly. Subsequently, the exotic pet industry also plays a major role in the extinction of these animals.
Every year, poachers kidnap countless pygmy marmosets in order to sell them as exotic pets to billionaires. As a result, the population of these primates is gradually dwindling into nothingness. If left unchecked, pretty soon, the world would lose another fascinating species due to human negligence.
Finger Monkey: General Facts
The finger monkeys are an amazing breed of small monkeys, to show that here are a few great facts about the breed that you might find interesting.
🐒 Finger monkeys belong to the New World Monkeys
🐒 The Finger monkey is the smallest monkey in the world.
🐒 There are two different types of finger monkeys, the eastern and western pygmy marmoset.
🐒 Pygmy marmosets live primarily in trees.
🐒 The finger monkeys prefer to eat tree gum primarily.
🐒 Finger monkeys don’t have disposable fingers but claws.
🐒 They are very social animals.
🐒 The finger monkeys are mainly monogamous.
🐒 They also most of the time give birth to twins.
🐒 These pygmy marmosets have a low rate of metabolism.
🐒 Pygmy marmosets generally live and move around in groups.
🐒 Finger monkeys are able to turn their heads back to 180 degrees.
🐒 Even the male monkeys help carry the little ones.
🐒 The older siblings help raise the younger siblings.
🐒 These monkeys can jump about 15 feet higher above the ground.
🐒 They are popular as exotic finger monkey pets.
🐒 As a baby, the finger monkeys are known to babble, to learn how to communicate.
🐒 The finger monkeys are known to fall off trees.
Wrapping Up!
Finger monkeys are really cute-looking tiny creatures that live in the Amazonian forest and along the riverside.
If you find this article quite informative and helpful for you to understand and know the finger monkey properly, then give this article a like. You can even comment down below if you think this article was helpful.
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