Common Marmoset

Marmoset wasting syndrome

SignsChronic diarrhea, weight loss, rough coat, anemia, hind-limb paralysis

PreventionChronic enteritis of unknown cause. Reduce stress and feed a diet based on primate pellets and gum

Metabolic bone disease

SignsLimping, falling from branches, fractures, curved spine, hind-limb paralysis

PreventionPrimate pellets with vitamin D3 plus a calcium supplement. Install a UVB lamp. Avoid a fruit-heavy diet

Periodontal disease / tooth wear

SignsBad breath, drooling, avoiding hard food, facial swelling, short teeth

PreventionSmear gum on wood so they gnaw it out naturally. Oral exam once a year

Intestinal parasites / protozoa

SignsDiarrhea, mucus or bloody stool, weight loss, soiled anal area

PreventionFecal exam at intake and twice a year. Clean the cage daily; never feed on the floor

Obesity / diabetes

SignsWeight gain, excessive drinking and urination, dull coat, cataracts

PreventionLimit fruit and honey; feed pellets, gum, insects and vegetables. Record weight weekly

Stress-related self-injury

SignsBiting the tail or arms, hair loss, stereotypic behavior, constant screaming

PreventionAlways house with companions of the same species. Provide hides, high branches and daily foraging activity

Fracture from a fall

PreventionFix branches securely and put thick bedding under landing spots. Bones are weak, so manage nutrition carefully

First aidDo not handle; keep warm and quiet in a dark box. No splint needed. See the vet the same day

Bite from a cage mate

PreventionWatch for rank fights. Provide several hides and feeding spots; introduce newcomers gradually

First aidRinse the wound under running water and separate from the attacker. Bleeding or swelling: see the vet the same day

Tail injury

PreventionCheck where the tail is before opening or closing cage doors and room doors. Use mesh small enough that it cannot get caught

First aidPress gauze on any bleeding. A limp, motionless or bent tail: see the vet the same day

Burns

PreventionPut guards on heat bulbs and heaters and place them where they cannot be reached by jumping

First aidCool with a cold wet towel. Apply no ointment; see the vet. Do not touch blisters

B virus infection

RouteMonkey bites, scratches, saliva (mainly macaques)

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water for 15+ minutes and see a doctor at once. Never handle bare-handed

Tuberculosis

RouteCoughing, droplets, close contact

PreventionCoughing or weight loss: see the vet immediately. Keepers should have an annual health checkup

Herpes (from humans)

RouteSaliva or mouth-to-mouth feeding from a person with cold sores

PreventionHuman herpes is fatal to marmosets. Never feed mouth-to-mouth or kiss them

Salmonellosis

RouteFeces, dirty hands, cage equipment

PreventionAlways wash hands with soap after care. Never wash equipment in the kitchen

Food

• Staple diet is primate pellets and acacia gum
• Feed morning and evening. Insects, boiled egg, vegetables and a little fruit as side foods
• Smear gum into holes in wood so they have to gnaw it out

Water

• Change both the water bottle and the dish every day
• A change in water intake is a sign of illness. Check it by eye

Toys & play

• Foraging toys: branches with gum packed into drilled holes
• Foraging play: release live crickets for them to chase
• Rotate moving toys such as ropes, hammocks and bells

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden nest box at the very top, big enough for the group to sleep together
• Line the nest box with fleece and wash it once a week

Bedding & litter

• Thick layer of pet sheets or hardwood chips on the floor
• Remove droppings from the floor daily. Wash branches once a week
• Do not use softwood chips, cat litter or sand

Cage / housing material

Tall metal cage (mesh 1 cm or smaller)

Size & space

At least 150 cm high and 90 cm wide. Expand as the group grows

Layout

• Nest box at the top; branches fixed in a lattice at mid-height
• At least two feeding and water stations up on the branches. No eating on the floor
• Thick bedding on the floor to cushion falls

Placement notes

• Bright by day, dark at night. Install a UVB lamp
• Avoid direct air-conditioner draft and window spots. Be considerate of neighbors about the calls

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed. Daily exercise on the branches in the cage
• For free-roam time, turn off fans, close windows and never look away
• Lack of exercise leads straight to obesity and bone disease. Rearrange the branches

Temperature & humidity

Temperature24–28°C. Below 20°C is dangerous

Humidity50–70%

Summer & winter

• In summer, keep below 28°C with air conditioning. Avoid direct sunlight
• In winter, keep at 24°C or above around the clock with a panel heater

Nail trimming

Claw-like nails rather than flat nails; they wear down on branches. If overgrown and catching on fabric, have the vet trim them

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed; they groom each other. A ruffled coat or hair loss signals illness or social stress

Other care

Watch for tooth wear and periodontal disease. Give hard insects and gum; oral exam once a year. Check ears for dirt and odor

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Close windows and control mosquitoes during free-roam time. Never take outdoors
• Keep away from balconies visited by crows or birds of prey

Foreign-body ingestion

They mouth bedding, fabric threads and small toy fragments. Clear small items off the floor before free-roam time. Vomiting or loss of appetite: see the vet

Being stepped on

They dart across the floor and get underfoot. Watch the floor as you walk; return them to the cage during housework or when visitors come

Getting pinched

Tails and fingers get caught in doors and cage doors. Use door stoppers during free-roam time. Check where they are before closing any door

Falls

Weak bones mean frequent fall fractures. Put cushions under branches and shelves over 1 m high. Cannot move after a fall: see the vet immediately

Escape

Small and fast; they slip out through window gaps. Padlock the cage and always close windows. If one escapes, call it back with its companions' voices

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Get a thick towel
2. Cover the body and face with the towel to darken
3. Once it lets go, return it to the cage in the towel
4. Rinse the wound under running water for 15+ minutes and disinfect

After the release

Deep wound, swelling or fever: see a doctor the same day. Always tell the doctor it was a monkey bite

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight trend, diet, stool photos, condition of cage mates. Find a vet who sees primates in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and watch for a response. Normal body temperature is 37–39°C
• Count breaths by the chest movement: about 30–50 per minute
• Feel the heartbeat with a finger on the chest: around 200 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press clean gauze on the wound for 5+ minutes. Do not lift it to check
• For the tail or limbs, press lightly on the heart side of the wound
• Heavy or unstoppable bleeding: go to the vet immediately

Transport

• Line a small box with a towel; wrap heat packs in cloth
• Transport with a companion if possible. Keep the car at 24°C or above