The pygmy marmoset is the world’s smallest monkey, with adults often weighing under 200 grams.
Native to the western Amazon Basin, this tiny New World monkey lives in river-edge forests and other habitats with suitable trees. It has claw-like nails rather than flat nails on most fingers and toes, an adaptation that helps it cling to trunks and branches. Its fur provides camouflage among bark and foliage.
Pygmy marmosets feed heavily on tree gum and sap, which they obtain by gouging holes in bark with specialized teeth. They also eat insects, fruit, and other small foods. The species is sometimes confused with mouse lemurs, but mouse lemurs are lemurs from Madagascar, not monkeys. Pygmy marmosets usually live in small family groups and communicate with high-pitched calls.