The Callicam
Observing Marmoset Behavior
WHY OBSERVE NONHUMAN PRIMATES?
Similar to humans, marmosets have a wide range of behaviors. As nonhuman primates are our
closet relatives and so similar to us, we can learn a lot from them.
We can gain new knowledge about their behavior just by watching them.
Some nonhuman primates can be great models for human activity because they live
in families, just like humans. nonhuman primates have always sparked our curiosity and
imagination. Through observing primates we are given the chance to learn about ourselves
and about behavior that is more typical of primates than other mammals.
COMMON QUESTIONS TO ASK
Some questions that are commonly asked in regards to observing marmosets that you
might want to use are:
- What are the main differences between juvenile and adult behavior?
- Why do we call some behavior "play"?
- How do the individuals in the group interact?
- Which are the dominate male and female? Which are the subordinates?
MARMOSET BEHAVIOR
The common marmoset displays a fascinating range of behaviors, many of which you can observe on
the Callicam.
ETHOGRAMS
An ethogram (a graph or chart of behavior) is used to compare certain behaviors
that can be observed while watching the marmosets.
OBSERVATION EXERCISES
Written by Lissa Pabst.
