The family to which marmosets belong is Calliticadae, and this contains 5 genera and 26 species, and all found only in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Marmosets themselves are localized primarily to the Amazon regions of South America, though they can be found along its borders. As a group, they prefer mountain and valley regions with trees. These trees are essential, as old-growth trees with holes for predator protection are essential for marmoset survival (Ferrari, 1990 and www.szgdocent.org, 2000). Marmosets are are primarily diurnal, sleeping in these tree-holes at night. In addition, these fruit-bearing trees provide this animal with adequate food for proliferation (www.szgdocent.org, 2000).

Marmosets are the most diverse and colorful of the New World primates. Their size range from 7-7.5 in. with a 7.5 in. tail and a mass of 120-190 g to 13-16 in. with a 10-15 in. tail and a mass of 630-710 g (Goehring, 2003). Their tails are specifically used for balancing (they are not prehensile) and they have a tremendous range of facial expressions used for social communication (Lascola, 2002).

Marmosets have high predation pressures, which is a reason for the necessity of their unique habitat. In a study with 20 primates, the predation pressures of the marmoset rated the highest (Ferrari 1990). Both aerial and terrestrial predators prey on marmosets, but the the three most common predators of the marmoset as hawks, ocelots, and anacondas, but there are many more, including eagles, jaguar, jaguarundi, and other snakes (Ferrari, 1990 and www.szgdocent.org, 2000). In devising methods of predator avoidance, the main defense for marmosets is simply vigilance, most importantly from aerial predators, such as hawks . In fact, much of the marmosets' time during the day is spent watching for these birds of prey (Ferrari, 1990). Marmosets rely on their quickness and speed in avoiding predators, though they may mob smaller or slower predators (www.szgdocent.org, 2000).

Marmosets are primarily frugivores. There diet is then supplemented with nectars, flowers, saps, gums, and small animals such as frogs, lizards, insects, and spiders . These animals spend between 25% and 30% of activity budget searching for food (Goehring, 2003).