Marmosets and Tamarins (Part two)
© Sue Gale
A baby Marmoset or Tamarin can be quite charming. They are playful, cute and dependent. However, at the onset of sexual maturity, the hand reared can become unpredictable and aggressive, even towards their owner. It must be understood that they are wild animals, not domesticated and still driven by their instincts. They can be extremely sensitive and highly-strung and the hand-reared are prone to neurotic behavior patterns as adults.
A baby Marmoset or Tamarin raised by its natural family group is taught correct behavior patterns by its parents and older siblings. Like humans, they are prepared for adulthood by social interaction. In this way, the young primate learns what is socially acceptable and what is not. For normal development, the youngsters need to witness correct mating and social behavior. Play behavior between youngsters and adults plays a major role in the learning process. A primate hand reared in isolation from its own kind is deprived of this process and his channels for learning may become confused. This can result in neurotic behavior patterns. A high percentage of Marmosets and Tamarins develop "misplaced aggression" or "hyper-aggressivity". At sexual maturity, the primate will suddenly start to attack his owner and visitors. Other disorders caused by separation and isolation from the natural family (Maturational Arrest) include eating disorders, thumb-sucking, self clasping, bizarre posturing, rocking and self mutilation. Many hand reared Marmosets and Tamarins do not breed, and the few that do are often lacking in skills to raise their young. It is not unusual for a hand-reared parent to kill the babies at birth.
Primates housed in areas that are too small and unstimulating may also develop disorders. When a primates need to engage in natural activities is suppressed, it may be replaced by abnormal behavior. Weaving, self-biting, excessive self grooming, passivity and general loss of interest may be an expression of long term depression. In most cases, this can be reversed by appropriate enrichment.
While it is understood that many will seek out a baby as a pet, a pair of adult, parent raised Marmosets or Tamarins can also make enjoyable companions. The parent raised can be easily tamed if handled correctly and are not likely to attack. We need to ask ourselves which would be a better choice - to raise a baby and face the possibility of having to cope with neurotic behavior when the monkey matures, or to purchase a pair of adult, parent raised monkeys that are likely to stay gentle for the rest of their lives.
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