Observations on a Successful Breeding Colony of the Marmoset, Oedipomidas Oedipus

Abstract

Our experience with a colony of marmosets, primarily Oedipomidas oedipus, is given and salient features of their husbandry are discussed with extensive references to relevant literature. Their uniquely high vitamin D requirement, in absence of ultraviolet exposure is emphasized. They require about 500 I. U. of vitamin D3/animal/day and appear able to tolerate much more without signs of toxicity. Data was presented on 38 recorded pregnancies among 23 females during approximately 19 months. From interbirth intervals it was concluded that gestation is probably about 140 days and that colony production may be based on an estimate of a birth from most females almost every 200 days. Seventeen sets of twins are reported from which the male: female: heterosexual proportions were 4:6:7. This adds weight to the belief that biovular twinning is the rule for these animals. General social and sexual behavior is given and many observations lead us to conclude that O. oedipus shows a monogamy-like social structure based largely on fierce competition between females.