Omg I AM SOOO SAD :( Cotton Eared Marmoset

Question

I was at a small museum today and they had a very small exibit on animals. most were fish and lizards that were just relaxing or sleeping. however in one small glass cage there was a Cotton Eared Marmoset. it was so engaged in what was happening and looking around at the people in the museum and looking very curious and attentive.

i was just wondering how intelligent these animals are and if they can think similarly to humans. it was so sad to see because he seemed so smart and almost human like....yet he was locked in a cage alone. all they had was fake hair laying around to keep him company:( other than wikipedia tell me about these animals intelligence.

Answer 1

This is what I found on Marmosets in general:

Marmosets live in pairs or family groups in which only the dominant pair breeds. The fathers participate in the rearing of the offspring and help by carrying the youngsters about and returning them to their mother for feeding. This way the mother can have a break. Territory is marked by rubbing glands located either on their chest or anogenital region against an object.

Marmosets are highly active, living in the upper canopy of forest trees, and feeding on insects, fruit and leaves. They have long lower incisors, which allow them to chew holes in tree trunks and branches to harvest the gum inside; some species are specialised feeders on gum.

Like other callitrichines, marmosets are characterized by a high degree of cooperative care of the young and some food sharing and tolerated theft. Adult males, females other than the mother, and older offspring participate in carrying infants. Most groups scent mark and defend the edges of their ranges, but it is unclear if they are truly territorial, as group home ranges greatly overlap.

Although their brains are very primitive, their natural natural inclination is to live in family groups, not alone.  I wonder if you could write a letter to the museum explaining your concern for this animals mental health?  Maybe you could collect money and try to get them to provide a family for this poor unfortunate lonesome Marmoset?

I am touched by your concern and hope you can do something to better the situation.    

Answer 2

Most mammals are aware of their surroundings so I belive the answer is yes. I hate museums that do stuff like that I'd like to lock those people in a cage.. :(