Cotton Eared Marmosets

Debonaire Exotic Animals

Cotton Eared Marmosets

Scientific Name Callithrix jacchus

We have recently ( 2009 ) added a pair of Cotton Eared Marmosets to our family of animals. These are something we have loved for many years. At last we have finally have got a sexed pair.

We have just got another pair of Cotton Eared Marmosets on the 23rd of March 2010. They are called Pepper and Katie and both are quite friendly. They are a proven pair and have succesfully raised babies.

The Marmosets are kept in a very large enclosure that has access to natural sunlight and also provides protection from the elements.
The encloure is extensively furnished with items such as branches and ropes to provide exercise and entertainment for the Marmosets.
There is a heated area for the colder nights and winter months which also has a sleeping area. As soon as dusk falls the Marmosets settle in the warm sleep area for the night. They are usually up at first light waiting for their breakfast.

The Marmosets are both two years of age and have both had handling experience. The appear quite bonded together as they follow each other around and also spend many hours grooming each other. The female does appear to be the dominant one when there is food about. She is always first to the food and it appears the male waits until he feels it is safe to come to the dish.
They appear to communicate by high pitched sounds some of which sound very similar to dog whistles. They are not overly vocal though with them chattering only in small periods.

Feeding.

Feeding the Marmosets is quite simple. They enjoy plenty of fesh fruit and veg, Moreoworms, Locusts as well as a number of prepared foods.

Fruits include Apple, Pear, Peach, Mango, Papaya, Grapes, Banana, Passion Fruit, Star Fruit, Oriental Pear, Dates, Figs

Veg includes Carrot, small Corn Cobs, Peas, Broccoli

I also managed to obtain a number of comercial foods to feed to the Marmosets. These are fed as a supplement to the fresh diet. I purchased Marmoset cakes, Marmoset jelly. These are powdered and you add water to them. They are almost a complete diet in theselves with all vitamins etc included but I prefer to give these as a supplement to a fresh diet as I believe both diets together will be more beneficial to the Marmosets.
As an enrichent treat I also bought Monkey Gum, this is Acacia gum and is a natural food / product that is found in the wild. I have drilled small holes into branches and fill these holes with the gum. The Marmosets love getting the gum out of the holes. In the wild they would chew the branches to get at this gum.
Another treat I give is Red Nectar as a drink. This is given a couple of times a week and again the marmosets love it.

Marmoset Breeding and Babies

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