Not really a neglectful mother, the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) will nevertheless take all the help she can get in looking after her young. She normally has twins and her male companions (usually two) and other young (particularly the males) are quick to help. Indeed, this help appears to be essential to the survival of the infants.
The common marmoset's main food is tree sap and gum and it has specialized lower incisor teeth to gnaw holes in tree bark. It has also been seen eating insects, lizards, small mammals, birds, eggs and frogs, but only infrequently. Despite its fall in numbers, due to habitat destruction, it can become a pest when it moves near to plantations, feeding on flowers and fruit. However, it is not as threatened as other marmosets and tamarins and it breeds well in captivity.
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