The pygmy marmoset is the smallest species of the Callitrichidae family. Also referred to as the pocket monkey, little lion, or Cebuella pygmaea they have been around for centuries native to South America, precisely the Amazon basin. However, they can also be found in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia.
As they aren’t an endangered species, they can live up to 12 years in the wild and even double the lifespan once held in captivity as a pet or in the zoo. They aren’t predated in the wild therefore giving them a rather peaceful livelihood in the wild. Even so, there are other factors that could affect its lifespan, let’s further explore what these could be.
How Long Does It Live?
The pocket monkey’s lifespan is highly dependent on its living conditions, that is;
- In the wild
- In captivity
In the Wild
They can live from nine to 12 years thanks to their numerous survival instincts and tactics. What’s more than tend to associate in groups of two to nine individuals, which brightens their odds of survival. Them not being an endangered species and not prey a number of wild animals, they live longer than most animals its size.
In Captivity
Kept protected under captivity and as a pet, their lives are lengthened to 16 – 20 years, even more. This way, they are kept away from harm’s way from nature’s predators such as large animals and birds. They have proper diets and suitable living conditions among other advantages of being in captivity.
Further Reading…
What Factors Will determine the Life Span
Several factors play a hand as to how long or short the little lion’s life can last. Here are some of those factors.
1. Diet
Food, water, and internal body’s well being is the most vital factor that can affect the lives of the pocket monkey. Without adequate food or a diet without the essential minerals, vitamins, and supplements, their health will easily deteriorate. Therefore, the right diet is essential to keeping the pet in tip-top share.
Endeavor to include plenty of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, drinks, and other essential groups of food to allow the monkey to maintain its activeness. Avoid processed foods and drinks as they can affect their metabolism.
Water is easily important, as well as supplementary drinks such as goat and almond milk, chemical-free drinks, and natural juices. Infants will require feeding every two hours as the adults too require snacking at least six times a day.
2. Living Environment
A little lion’s environment has to emulate that of the wild. A large enough cage to offer space for jumping, climbing, physical activities, and just active sports.
Branches from evergreen forest trees, leaves, and swings to keep the monkey occupied during the day. If you have more than one monkey, additional space for them to play.
What’s more, you may also need to introduce toys, so the monkey isn’t bored. Keep the cage directed to the sun to offer your pet vitamin D. This is one of the reasons they enjoy being the wild.
If you don’t have, a source of heat is important as they are easily affected and infected by the flu. Remember blad health leads to a shorter lifespan.
Lastly, cleanliness. As they tend to play most parts of the day, they will be wrecking of sweat and even discharge like pee, which has a very strong and pungent scent. You’ll constantly need to clean up the area so the pet feels safe and comfortable.
3. Physical Adaptability
The monkey is a very active animal, especially during its young age. They long to climb, hang around, jump, and just live an active life. If you don’t want the pet to be lethargic, you have to offer it a physically adaptable environment and schedule.
They need plenty of playtimes to keep them active, a favorable diet to keep them strong, rest time at night to rejuvenate as they behave similarly to just about any mammal.
They also need cuddling and affection from its owner to give it a sense of belonging. All these e elements allow the pet space and a pleasurable environment for growth.
Physical adaptability also means security. In the wild, the monkey is under threat, if it’s not predators, its lack of food, knowing other issues. Offering the pet a safe environment where they can easily breed and nurture their young ones can really elongate their lifespan.
4. Health Care
Pocket monkeys are the smallest primate known in the world. They are also just as vulnerable to health concerns such as diseases. The likes of chickenpox, HIV, common cold, plus other viruses.
Veterinarian checkups are an essential factor as its very easy for the pet to succumb to illness even before you realize it was unwell. Therefore, medical factors have to be keenly considered.
This is why before a finger monkey is given to you, proper documentation is required. A license to own that certifies you are within reach of a qualified vet.
5. Other Factors
Besides the usual food and health matters, pocket monkeys can thrive with a social and environmental space. What this means is, according to their way of life, they have a rather detailed life cycle. They have their roles to play as an infant, sibling, mother, ad father.
If they are able to maintain this social structure that allows them to breed and nurture their young ones. They developed their social cues, communication skills, environmental adaptability, and just the company of another finger monkey; this can tremendously affect its lifespan.
This is why some pages assume that the lifespan in the wild may offer the pocket monkey a longer lifespan than the former as they have the freedom to associate, mate, reproduce, and simply associate with other new world monkeys.
Summing it all up, the most essential factors that affect their lifespan is food and diet, habitat and living conditions, and healthcare. Anything else you do is simply a question to offer comfort and security with a pet, which in turn could positively affect its life.
