Humans are closely related to different types of Monkeys, and that in a way makes us more curious about them. We know that there are different types of monkeys and that they are found in different colors and sizes. But do you know, there are some monkeys that are really really small. Undoubtedly, monkeys are anyway smaller in size if we compare them to apes like chimpanzees and gorillas or ground-dwelling monkeys like baboons. It is because they live in the trees and have learned to move quickly, hopping from one tree to another. In this article, we will share with you the details of the smallest monkeys in the world. The list below starts with the smallest and will go on to the biggest, in terms of sizes.
Smallest Monkeys In The World
1. Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset is regarded as the smallest monkey in the world. Do you know why? On average, it measures 5.1 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces. This little monkey belongs to its own genus, Cebuella. Moreover, you can find this monkey only in the Amazon basin. It is also listed as one of the cutest monkeys in the world that resides in family units that include a man, a female, their kids, and maybe another adult. Can you believe how they communicate with one another, they make use of vocalizations, chemical secretions, and visual displays. It is also listed as one of the cutest animals in the world.
This marmoset comes in two different species. They are almost identical but are known by different names i.e., the Western and Eastern pygmy marmosets. This animal with small eyes is known for its thick fur. Moreover, the fur has a variety of colors, like brown, gold, grey, orange-yellow, and black. The body is longer than the tail, which is ringed. The monkey’s digestive tract is designed to break down tree sap and other exudates. Interestingly, it can turn its head 180 degrees and leap up to 16 feet.
2. Roosmalen’s Dwarf Marmoset
This is mostly seen in the Amazon jungle, this Marmoset is 7-inch-long. The monkey’s distribution is limited but ironically, its conservation status is of least concern. It belongs to the genus Mico instead of the genus Callibella. It is quite in contrast to other marmosets as most of them belong to the genus Callibella. Can you believe that the existence of this monkey was not known until 1998? It was discovered quite recently.
If we have a look at its appearance, this marmoset has a dull yellow belly and a dark brown chest. Covered in white hair, the monkey has a cute pink face and is crowned with a black tiara. The monkey has white eyebrows that are the center of attraction. Its weight ranges from 5.29 to 6.52 ounces. Notably, females are larger than males in size. It enjoys tree secretions just like other marmosets do.
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3. Silvery Marmoset
This is a squirrel-sized monkey. It is commonly found in Brazil’s southeast and has a head and body length that ranges from 7.1 to 11 inches. Speaking of its weight, it weighs an average of 48 ounces or approximately 3 pounds. Silvery marmosets have shiny silver-white fur, however, it’s not the same for all the species. Some species have dark brown fur instead. They have prominent ears and bare faces.
They live in tiny groups and are found in plantations and jungles. They do not have much tolerance towards intruders and they are met with screams or grimaces. This marmoset is very different from other marmosets as it has opossum-like pointed jaws. This characteristic results from the fact that it consumes tree sap and also gnaws a hole in the tree to do so.
4. Common Marmoset
Common Marmoset is the first New World monkey with its whole genome sequenced. Apart from that, it’s a tiny monkey. The males measured an average of 7.4 inches and the females at an average of 7.28 inches. Additionally, males weigh about 9 ounces as opposed to 8.3 ounces for females. The common marmoset has some stunning features like white ear tufts, a banded tail, and thick, vibrant fur. They have claw-like nails on their fingers which is quite similar to the tamarins. The common marmoset resides in the forests of southeast Brazil, moreover, they are acrobatic. Even various cities have reported sighting this monkey.
5. Graells’s Tamarin
Graell’s tamarin, generally found in the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, can grow to a length of up to 12 inches without its elongated tail. Speaking of its weight, the monkey weighs between 7.9 and 32 ounces on average. Notably, the males are smaller than the females. It has long, silky fur that is primarily either black or dark brown in color.
All of these tamarins’ fingers have claws, with the exception of their opposable thumb, which has a nail. The dull olive-brown lower back, rump, and thighs, rather than the reddish-orange color, distinguish it from other black-mantled tamarins. Interestingly, the molecular genetic research does not support the idea that Graell’s tamarin and the black-mantled tamarin belong to different species or are in any way different from each other.
Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Cotton-top Tamarin
This type of tamarin is one of the smallest New World monkeys. It measures between 8.2 and 10.2 inches in length and frequently weighs less than a pound. This small monkey lives in Colombian jungles. These forests are disappearing very fast, thus, it is resulting in a loss of habitat for these tamarins. As far as their conservation status is concerned, it is a highly endangered species. Only 6,000 of them are still alive. The white hair that shoots out of the top of the monkey’s head, flutters over its shoulders and continues down the back of its neck. The sagittal crest of this monkey and a gorilla is quite similar. Moreover, the face of the tamarin can be mottled, naked, or hairy depending on the species.
7. Night Monkey
The night monkey is quite different from the majority of other monkeys. The most interesting fact about this monkey is that it only comes out at night. From Panama to Argentina, it can be found in savannas, wet and dry forests, and wetlands up to 10,000 feet above sea level. It is an omnivore and it occasionally feeds on birds and tiny mammals in addition to fruit, leaves, spiders, and bird eggs.
Due to its nocturnal lifestyle, it has huge eyes. These eyes help it have improved night vision. Depending on the species, the length of a night monkey ranges from 9.5 to 18 inches. As far as its weight is concerned, it ranges from around a pound to about 2.8 pounds on average. The thick fur of this monkey is grey or reddish-brown, and it has white underparts. With white patches above the eyes, the head of the night monkey has a squirrel monkey-like appearance, which is next in line.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Squirrel Monkey
Squirrel Monkeys are mostly found in the canopies of the Central and South American forests. Squirrel monkeys come in two main groups and five species. Their lengths range from 10 to 14 inches and a tail of the same length or greater. As far as their weight is concerned, males and females weigh about the same.
A male squirrel monkey can weigh somewhere between 26 and 39 ounces, while a female can weigh anywhere between 18 and 26 ounces. Their body is covered with thick fur that is orange-yellow at the back and rump and black around the shoulders. You may see some white spots near its eyes that give it an eldritch appearance. They are omnivores and feed on birds, insects et cetera. Moreover, they live in packs that can number in the hundreds.
9. Dusky Titi
The Dusky Titi Monkey is one of the smallest monkeys in the world found only in central Brazil, close to the Amazon River basin and the Orinoco River’s source. Its head and body lengths range from 10 to 16 inches. The monkey’s weight is typically around 28.33 ounces. The fundamental unit of a dusky titi comprises a male, a female, and their offspring. Interestingly, the male monkey carries the child, except, if the infants are not nursed by their partner.
Dusky titis have been observed sitting with their tails tangled, irrespective of the fact that whether they are awake or sleeping. Titis are busy during the day and take a siesta around midday, like the majority of other monkeys. They prefer fruit and are quite fond of figs, but they may also consume leaves, insects, and bird eggs. Titis have very complex vocalizations and they are exceptionally vocal.
Image Source: Wikimedia
10. Talapoin Monkey
The central and western regions of the African continent are home to the talapoin monkeys. It is one of the tiniest monkeys on the planet. This animal has a tail that is at least as long as its body. Notably, the average weight of this monkey ranges between 1.76 and 4.19 pounds. The length of their body is between 10 and 16 inches. It is also one of the smallest monkeys in the world.
It typically dwells close to a body of water. It lives to hover amid the trees of mangrove swamps, plantations, and rainforests. Talapoin Monkey consumes a variety of foods, including fruit, leaves, seeds, insects, eggs, and aquatic plants. It is also an omnivore animal. The regular fur color of this monkey is bright green, which makes it a little uncommon. Moreover, it has fan-shaped whiskers, large ears, pale breasts, and lots of furs on its belly.
Image source: Wikimedia
These are the smallest monkeys in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.
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