White-headed marmoset

A small primate native to South America, this diurnal callitricid lives in groups of around 9 multi-male, multi-female individuals.

Fast and agile, it can climb up to 500 m in altitude. In the wild, it prefers secondary forest to primary forest or forest edges.

Callitricids are the only monkeys whose nails have evolved into claws, enabling them to move more easily on the tree trunks in which they live. Their coat is blackish-brown with grayish tints above and dark brown below. Their tails are ringed in black and gray. They are unique in having long black tufts around their ears, and a large white mask that overhangs their face.

Geoffroy’s marmosets eat a variety of foods. They are gommivorous, frugivorous and insectivorous. They are managed by a European breeding program.