Pygmy marmoset
Scientific Name: Oxylobus pygmaeus
Discovered by: The exact discoverer is not definitively recorded, but the species was likely known to locals for a long time before formal scientific description. (1823)
Location: Amazon Basin, South America
Conservation Status
Population: Unknown
Physical Characteristics
Length: 14-16 cm
Coloration: Variable, often a mixture of browns, grays, and oranges; some have a reddish hue
Locomotion: Quadrupedal, leaping
Life History
Lifespan: 10-16 years
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal and arboreal
Taxonomy
Habitat & Distribution
Amazon rainforest, specifically flooded forests and riparian zones
Geographical Range: Western Amazon Basin in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador
Habitat Adaptations
- Small size to navigate dense vegetation
- Ability to tolerate flooding
Key Adaptations
- Small size for navigating dense vegetation
- Sharp claws for clinging to branches
- Incisors adapted for tapping tree gum
Senses
Vision
Range: Good color vision
Sensitivity: Adaptable to low light conditions
Hearing
Range: Good hearing for communication and predator detection
Sensitivity: High-frequency sensitivity
Smell
Range: Moderate
Sensitivity: Important for finding food sources
Conservation
Current Threats
- Habitat loss due to deforestation
- Illegal pet trade
Conservation Efforts
- Protected areas within their range