Marmosets live together in family groups, usually mated adults and their offspring. Males reach maturity at one year while females aren’t fully mature until 20 to 24 months. After a gestation of approximately 150 days, the female typically gives birth to twins. All adults and sub adults share in the care of the young.

The Common Marmoset is native to Brazil and is also known as the Cotton Eared Marmoset. They are diurnal which means they are active during the daytime and rest at night. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, bird eggs and tree sap. They live mainly in the forest, can run swiftly along tree branches and are excellent jumpers.

An adult can range in size from 14 to 18 cm and they weight approximately 400g or 14 ounces. The life expectancy of the common marmoset in the wild is 10 years and 16 years in captivity.