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Marmosets and Tamarins (Part One)

© Sue Gale

Births normally take place at night, or in the early hours of the morning. Observations of births show that the male stands behind the female and, once the baby has arrived, helps to clear and eat the afterbirth and places the baby on his back. When the second baby arrives, the same procedure is followed. The male then carries the babies for the first few days, only passing them over to the female for nursing. Older brothers and sister in the group are then taught to carry and care for the infants as this prepares them for parenthood. Normally two babies are born, but up to five have been recorded.

Callitrichidae have a birth control system. The dominant female secretes a pheromone that suppresses ovulation in other females in the group. Therefore, it is only the dominant female in the group that produces offspring.

Permission for use by Sue Gale Marmoset Welfare Foundation - Pietersburg, South Africa

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