typhlonectes:

cool-critters:

Pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)

The pygmy marmoset is a small New World monkey native to rainforests of the western Amazon Basin in South America. It is notable for being the smallest monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world at just over 100 grams, with a head-body length ranging from 117-152 mm and a tail of 172-229 mm. It is generally found in evergreen and river edge forests. About 83% of the pygmy marmoset population lives in stable troops of two to nine individuals, including a dominant male, a breeding female, and
up to four successive litters of offspring. The modal size of a standard
stable troop would be 6 individuals. Members of the group communicate using a complex system including vocal, chemical, and visual signals. These monkeys may also
make visual displays when threatened or to show dominance. The female gives birth to twins twice a year and the parental care is shared between the group. There are two subspecies. This monkey has a specialized diet of tree gum. It gnaws holes in the bark of appropriate trees and vines with its
specialized dentition to elicit the production of gum. When the sap
puddles up in the hole, it laps it up with its tongue. It also lies in
wait for insects, especially butterflies, which are attracted to the sap
holes. It supplements its diet with nectar and fruit.

photo credits: Brian.gratwicke, Don Faulkner, Karra Rothery, animalspot

When I was guiding at Sacha Lodge in Ecuador, we had a family of them that lived near the lodge. They would always come to a Papaya del Monte tree where they maintained little sap wells. They’d climb all over the trunk licking the sap from the little holes. It was adorable :3