Rondon's marmoset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rondon's marmoset |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mico
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| Species: |
rondoni
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| Geographic range in South America | |
The Rondon's marmoset (Mico rondoni) is a tiny monkey that lives in the Amazon in Brazil. It's also called the Rondônia marmoset because it's only found in the state of Rondônia. This special monkey was first described in 2010. It was named after a famous explorer of the Amazon, Cândido Rondon.
Before 2010, scientists thought this marmoset was part of another species called Emilia's marmoset. But now we know it's its own unique kind of monkey!
Contents
What Does Rondon's Marmoset Look Like?
Rondon's marmoset is part of a group called the silvery marmosets. Just like its name suggests, its fur is mostly a shiny silvery-gray color.
- Head: It has dark fur on most of its head, including its forehead and the sides of its face.
- Forehead Patch: There's a cool whitish patch right in the middle of its forehead that stands out.
- Legs: The fur on its legs changes color. It becomes reddish-brown near its shins and almost black at its ankles.
- Tail: Its tail is mostly black.
These marmosets are quite small! They usually weigh about 330 grams (about 12 ounces). Without their tail, they are about 22 centimeters (8.7 inches) long. Their tail is even longer, averaging about 31 centimeters (12 inches).
What Do Rondon's Marmosets Eat?
Rondon's marmosets love to eat tree sap, also known as exudates. This is a very important part of their diet. Like other marmosets, their bodies are specially made to eat this sticky food.
- Teeth: They have strong, chisel-like lower front teeth. These teeth help them make holes in trees to get the sap flowing out.
- Stomach: They also have a special part in their digestive system called an enlarged cecum. This helps them digest the tree sap properly.
How Are Rondon's Marmosets Doing?
Even though Rondon's marmosets can live in places where their habitat has been changed a bit, they might be one of the most endangered types of Mico monkeys.
- Conservation Status: The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says they are a vulnerable species. This means they are at risk of becoming extinct.
- Challenges: Some scientists think we don't have enough information about them to be sure of their status. More research is needed to understand how to best protect them.
Living with Other Monkeys
Another type of monkey, the Weddell's saddleback tamarin, lives in many of the same areas as Rondon's marmoset. However, Rondon's marmosets are not common in places where the tamarins are found a lot. This is because Weddell's saddleback tamarins are known to take over the tree sap feeding spots that Rondon's marmosets use.
See also
In Spanish: Tití de Rondon para niños
