Black-tailed marmoset

Black-tailed marmoset ( Callithrix melanura )

The Black-tailed marmoset ( Callithrix melanura or Mico melanurus ) is a primate of the family of marmosets.

Features

Black-tailed marmoset, like all marmosets relatively small primates, they reach a body length of about 23 centimeters and a tail length of 33 centimeters. Their fur is dark brown in color at the top, the belly is lighter. There are eye-catching white marks on thighs. The head is also dark brown, the face is hairless, large ears sticking out of the fur. Named giving feature is the black tail, which is longer than the body and bushy.

Distribution and habitat

Black-tailed marmoset have the southernmost and largest distribution area of all marmosets, they inhabit the south-western Brazil ( Mato Grosso, Rondônia ), eastern Bolivia and the extreme north of Paraguay. Their habitat is forests, next to humid forests (eg in the Pantanal ) inhabit them even drier, savannah -like regions.

Way of life

These primates are diurnal and arboreal, in the branches they move constantly or jumping on all fours on. They live in groups 5-14 animals that inhabit an area of 10 to 40 acres and defend against other groups. The groups are often family groups with only one adult pair, several females are in a group that is propagated only the dominant. As with all marmosets often fraternal twins are born, and the father and the other group members work intensively with the boys, they wear them and give them the only mother to suckle.

The food of these animals consists of fruit, tree sap and insects. Like all marmosets, they have specialized teeth in the lower jaw, with which they can chew the bark to get to the tree sap.

Endangering

Black-tailed marmoset have a large distribution area and are relatively adaptable. There are no known threats, the IUCN lists the species as " not at risk " ( least concern ).