Silvery marmoset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silvery marmoset |
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| Silvery Marmoset at the Bronx Zoo, New York City. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mico
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| Species: |
argentatus
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| Silvery marmoset range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Callithrix argentata |
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The silvery marmoset (Mico argentatus) is a type of New World monkey. It lives in the eastern part of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. These small monkeys are known for their unique silver-grey fur.
Contents
What Silvery Marmosets Look Like
Silvery marmosets have fur that is mostly whitish silver-grey. Their tail, however, is dark. A special feature is their ears, which are bare and flesh-colored. These ears really stand out from their fur.
These monkeys are quite small. They grow to be about 18 to 28 centimeters (7 to 11 inches) long. They usually weigh between 300 and 400 grams (10.5 to 14 ounces).
Where They Live and How They Behave
Silvery marmosets are active during the day. They spend most of their time in trees, using their claws to climb. They originally lived in rainforests. However, as more plantations have been built, they have started to live in new areas too.
At night, they sleep inside hollow trees or in very thick plants. They live in small groups. These groups mark their home area using special scents. If other animals try to enter their territory, the marmosets will shout or make angry faces to scare them away.
What Silvery Marmosets Eat
The main food for silvery marmosets is tree sap. They get this sap by making small holes in tree bark. They also eat other things, but less often. Their diet can include bird eggs, fruit, insects, and small animals.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female silvery marmosets are pregnant for about 145 days. After this time, they usually give birth to two babies. Sometimes, they might have three.
The father and other monkeys in the group help raise the young. This is common for many types of marmosets. The babies stop drinking milk from their mother after about six months. They become fully grown when they are about two years old.
Preferred Habitats
Studies show that silvery marmosets like to live in forests that are growing back after being cut down. They also like the edges of forests. These places offer them many benefits. For example, there are lots of insects for them to eat. The plants are also very dense, which gives them good cover.
See also
In Spanish: Tití plateado para niños
