Buffy-Headed Marmoset
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Genus
SPECIES
Callithrix flaviceps
Population size
Bnelow 2,500
Life Span
10-16 years
Weight
119-710
4.2-25
goz
g oz 
Length
180-300
7.1-11.8
mminch
mm inch 

The buffy-headed marmoset (Callithrix flaviceps ) is a rare species of marmoset endemic to the rainforests of south-eastern Brazil. It occurs in southern Espírito Santo and possibly northern Rio de Janeiro and its distribution extends into Minas Gerais.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Ar

Arboreal

Te

Terrestrial

Te

Territorial

Mo

Monogamy

Po

Polygyny

Po

Polyandry

So

Social

Do

Dominance hierarchy

No

Not a migrant

B

starts with

Appearance

The Buffy-headed marmoset is a rare species of marmoset native to forests of Brazil. These marmosets have black and grey fur on their body, blackish and pale fur on their tails and yellowish underparts. They have orange to yellow fur on their crown and cheeks. Like all marmosets, they have claws instead of nails on all digits except the big toes. This adaptation allows marmosets to cling to trees with ease while feeding on their favorite food, tree gum.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

Buffy-headed marmosets are found in south-eastern Brazil. They occur in southern Espírito Santo and possibly northern Rio de Janeiro and their distribution extends also into Minas Gerais. These marmosets live in tropical moist forests.

Buffy-Headed Marmoset habitat map

Climate zones

Buffy-Headed Marmoset habitat map

Habits and Lifestyle

Buffy-headed marmosets are social arboreal animals. They live in groups of up to fifteen consisting of related individuals, where females dominate males. Each group usually contains only one breeding female. Buffy-headed marmosets are active during the day. Due to their small size, these marmosets have many predators and have developed four distinct patterns of predator avoidance. Primarily, they avoid aerial predators through low-intensity alarm signals, emitting soft, closed-mouth whistles to warn other group members. Another behavior in dealing with aerial threats is a high-intensity alarm. They will produce a half-mouthed, open whistle to alert other members to take cover under branches or trees, sometimes immediately ceasing movement to avoid exposure. The third type of anti-predator alarm is for low-intensity terrestrial threats. A few marmosets in the group will give a call to the rest, alerting them of a possible threat such as a snake. Marmosets then “mob” the predator by amassing in large groups, thus not giving the predator a chace to attack. The last reaction is for high-intensity terrestrial situations. In instances of dealing with larger or more threatening predators, such as the tayra, marmosets amass in a large group, yelping in piercingly loud manner to try and scare the predator away.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Buffy-headed marmosets are herbivores. They primarily eat fruits, gum, and plant exudates. They may also consume bird eggs and nestlings. Additionally, they may prey on both vertebrates and invertebrates: primarily orthopterans, phasmids, coleopterans, caterpillars, and tree frogs.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round
PREGNANCY DURATION
140-150 days
BABY CARRYING
2 infants
FEMALE NAME
female
MALE NAME
male
BABY NAME
infant

Buffy-headed marmosets are monogamous and mate for life. However, polygyny (males mate with more than one female) and polyandry (females mate with more than one male) also exist. Breeding season occurs year-round. Females usually give birth to twins after the gestation period that lasts 140-150 days. Newly born infants are nursed by their mothers for about one month after birth. The rest members of the group also help to care of young. Males in this species become reproductively mature at around 9-13 months of age, while females attain maturity at 20-24 months.

Population

Population threats

Buffy-headed marmosets are threatened by the fragmentaion of their habitat through mining, agriculture and cattle ranching, tree plantations, and urbanization. These marmosets also suffern from hunting for pets.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Buffy-headed marmosets is fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. This species’ numbers are decreasing and it is currently classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological niche

Buffy-headed marmosets are likely to play an important role as seed dispersers in their ecosystem. These marmosets may also influence plant growth as they feed on plant gums.

References

1. Buffy-Headed Marmoset on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy-headed_marmoset
2. Buffy-Headed Marmoset on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3571/9951402

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About