The pygmy marmoset is a miniature and funny monkey. It is ideal for home keeping, as it is unpretentious in food, does not have an unpleasant smell and leads a daytime lifestyle without causing any worries at night. She is considered the smallest primate on the planet. Igrunks grow only up to 10-15 cm, not counting the tail, which can reach 18-22 cm. Their weight is 100-150 g. They have a long thick brown-golden coat on the back and orange or white on the belly.
Keeping a marmoset at home
When purchasing a dwarf marmoset, it is important to clarify where the animal came from from the seller. It is good if it was born at home, from the person engaged in their breeding. In the event that the animal was caught free, only specialists can properly educate it. The gamer from the outside has an already established understanding of the world, so it will be difficult for her to retrain to live in captivity. This is especially true for adults. In addition, there is a high probability that the animal is infected with parasites from the wild, unless, of course, it has undergone preventive treatment and quarantine. The lifespan of the monkeys also depends on the place of birth. Captive-born individuals, provided they are properly kept, live longer than their wild-born brethren.
The dwarf marmoset should be kept at home in a glass terrarium. It should measure 40 x 60 cm with a height of 75 cm. A full spectrum fluorescent lamp should be installed in the enclosure. Deprived of sunlight, the body of animals in such conditions is able to produce vitamin D. In addition, the terrarium should be equipped with an incandescent lamp for heating and a red lamp simulating dim night lighting. The optimum temperature for marmosets is 25-30 degrees. At night, it should not drop below 20 degrees. The duration of daylight hours for animals should be about 12-14 hours.
In addition to lighting, terrariums should be equipped with small ventilation hatches with covers to keep out the drafts that marmosets are afraid of. In addition, it is recommended to install two retractable trays for collecting animal waste. A set of bowls should be available for feeding. In order for the marmoset to climb, several wooden sticks should be fixed in the terrarium and a wooden house imitating a hollow should be installed. In daylight, the animal will sit on its roof, and sleep inside at night.
Monkey nutrition and preferences
The basis of the diet of dwarf marmosets at home is considered to be baby food porridge. Chopped fresh and dried various fruits are essential additions. Periodically, you should feed the animals and protein foods (chicken meat, live insects). Igrunks enjoy eating live locusts or crickets by first hunting them and then eating them. From time to time, monkeys need to be given mineral and vitamin supplements, which can be bought at pharmacies. Clean drinking water must be available at all times.
A pair of a dwarf marmoset is not necessary, since without one it does not yearn. But the monkey misses people, without their constant attention. She is extremely curious and mobile, so periodically she should be supplied with new toys. Igrunka is delighted with a new subject, but also loses interest quickly.
In general, the pygmy marmoset is an ideal pet for home keeping. The life span of this cute and friendly creature, capable of giving a lot of positive emotions, is approaching 6 years or even more.
