Engish Name          -            White-headed Marmoset

Portuguese Name  -            Sagui-de-cara-branca

Latin Name             -             Callithrix geoffroyi

I would like to introduce my first primates to the blog.

Also known as the Geoffroy’s tufted-ear marmoset, Geoffrey’s marmoset or the white-fronted marmoset. This small primate is found only in the jungles and forests of southeast Brazil, specifically in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. They like to live in trees and are active during the day and sleep at night in tree holes or other shelters. Their body fur is dark, with long black plumage on their ears, while the forehead, cheeks and bottom of the face are all white. The tail is ringed. They live in small family groups of up to 8 individuals. Family groups mainly consist of the dominant female, her mate and their offspring, with breeding usually restricted to the dominant pair. The family size depends on the availability and distribution of food. The territory is defended by the group by displays of aggression and marking the area with odours when faced with the presence of their fellow marmosets.
They feed on fruits, the nectar of flowers, resins, insects, snails and small vertebrates.  Like almost all marmosets, their numbers are declining rapidly due to the fast rate of deforestation in Brazil, capture for the pet trade and for exportation to zoos:(

Both photos of the White-headed marmoset were taken at the top of Morro do Mereno, (Mereno Hill) which is about a 15 - 20 walk from where we are living. The first photo is of an Adult, the second photo is of a juvenile. For 2 months I  had climbed Morro do Mereno without seeing any monkeys / marmosets then suddenly the last 3 times I’ve been to the top of the hill, they have been there:)