Goeldi's Monkey

Callimico goeldii

The Goeldi's Monkey, also called the Goeldi's Mormoset, is a curious little primate that is the size of a Marmoset, but exhibits characteristics of much larger Monkeys. It was one of the last New World Monkeys to be identified by science, and was named after its discovered, Swiss Naturalist Emilio Goeldi, in 1904.

One of the coolest facts about these guys is that they can horizontally jump 13ft (4m). That is an amazing distance considering that their body less is less than a foot!

Goeldi's Monkeys are social animals that live in family groups led by the monogamous mated pair. Their offspring will stay with the group for some time, helping to raise their younger brothers and sisters. Females will give birth to one infant at a time, and will exclusively care for it during the first 10-20 days of life. After that, the father and siblings will assist in raising the new member of the family.

Goeldi's Monkey

Sexual maturity is reached in about 9 months for females, and 17 for males, though the young Monkeys will often remain with their families past that point. When a partner or territory becomes available, the offspring may then leave the group to form a new one of their own.

Goeldi's Monkeys communicate through various means. They can project loud cries that can be heard hundreds of yards away, as well as quieter chips and noises to do things like greet and warn against danger. They also use body language and several different scent glands.

Unfortunately, Goeldi's Monkeys are becoming threatened throughout their range due to habitat loss. Some now live in protected wild areas, and captive breeding programs can be found in numerous zoos.

---

IUCN Status : Vulnerable

Location : Amazon Basin, South America

Size : Body Length up to 9in (23cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Primates
Family : Callitrichidae -- Genus : Callimico -- Species : C. goeldii