Tiny Pygmy Marmoset Born in Houston Zoo Put on Exhibit

A baby pygmy marmoset is now on exhibit at the Houston Zoo. The baby was born July 27 in the Natural Encounters building at the zoo.

Pygmy marmosets are generally born non-identical twins although single births are also not that uncommon. Senior Keeper, Abby Varela said that the baby was heavy. Singles are more likely to be heavier than babies born in pairs.

"We weighed it on Wednesday and it's already 36 grams!," Varela said in a blog by the zoo.

The pygmy marmoset is native to Amazonian rainforest and is one of the smallest monkeys in the world weighing in at about 4 oz. to 5 oz. (110 g to 140 g). These monkeys grow to an average size of 6 in. (15 cm) long.

They exhibit squirrel-like movements; running up and down tree-trunks and can leap up to five meters. Their ability to turn their heads up to 180 degree helps them scan the environment for predators.

The monkeys are popular exotic pets and they aren't considered a threatened species. However, rapid degradation of the Amazonian rainforest has led to a considerable loss of their habitat.  

Zoo officials aren't sure if the baby pygmy marmoset is a boy or a girl as it is being closely guarded by its family. It has three older brothers and a sister that are taking turns to babysit the monkey. Younger monkeys prefer to ride on the backs of the father or older brothers.

"We've been one of the most successful zoos at breeding these guys. Our pygmy marmoset family is growing faster than we could have anticipated," said Katie Niemann, zoo spokeswoman, according to chron.com.