Introducing marmosets......

[mat_worrell]

Merifield - like I said I will be getting my male marmoset from a reputable source that knows his background and history.

You opinion is your opinion and I do not wish to get in to an argument with you. I and many others do not concider it nessacery to quarantine when introducing a male of good health to my female.

[Zoo-Man]

As has been said, if the new animal is coming from a reputable breeder, who has good knowledge & husbandry practices, & their breeding stock is sound & of good health, then I see little need for quarantine. If however, the new animal was from an unknown source, or from stock with questionable health, etc, then a quarantine period would be advisable.

[mmcdermid]

When introducing my two, I housed them seperately next to each other for a few weeks! And still when i actually introduced them, they were still unsure of each other, it took me months of putting together for short periods of time, and monitering the scuffles that will undoubtedly occur. Be prepared for a potentially long winded affair. But its all worth it in the end as my two are unseperable

[PETERAROBERTSON]

Were any of yours handreared? Have paired up alot of marmies and tamarins and have not had any probs..they were put together and after a vocal period(on some occations they were like they were neant to be...perhaps its a period that can be prolonged by the love for the one that was there first..we were a bit unsure(alot of years ago) and toyed back and forth about is the time right...then my close friend who has many many years experiance came to the rescue and done the dead...with no probs whatsoever...i think its down to the person and not the animal sometimes..the longer they are imprinted on humans alone the more difficult it becomes..(humans to blame again) like ive said if not hand reared then 99 out of 100 goes sweatly....doesnt have to be a long winded affair.......you can tell straight away and most (when not hand reared) are glad to be back in the company of their own kind.....

[mmcdermid]

I would agree with you completely, the problem came about because our male was hand reared as he was from a set of triplets and was found on the floor of the avairy a few hours after birth. He spent a very long time, just in the company of humans (not with us). Our female was parent reared, so this is where the difficulties would have come from. Sorry, my fault, i should have mentioned this in my original response. I think that maybe Mat Worrel may also encounter some issues, maybe not as severe as what we did as Fizz has been alone for a while and may take some readjustment time, i suppose it also depends on the origin and up bringing of the arriving marmoset. Hope this clears up any confusion

[PETERAROBERTSON]

Yea totaly correct..the marmoset that mat is proposing to get is a good candidate for pairing as hes a pock...very steady and got a really good temprament..the full troop are like that...there are not hand reared but i would say steady to humans..all ours go outside when im in the inside enclosures...except them and the red bellied...they dont mind humans,,the red bellied keep a little distance but have no fear whatsoever but the commons go nowhere and go all about our bodies,,at there beck and call..they will still defend if catching is ness but not in the same agressive manner as most...i find it a bit of a pain as when theres 9 enclosures to clean it turns an hours work into two...it in my opinion all depends on the nature of the male,,she might be a bit aprehencive but he would just want to play..plus hes small in stature so she shouldnt feel to intimidated by size....

[Katnsean]

Off topic i know, but how are u finding being a monkey keeper Matt?

I am still toying with the idea, but have decided to wait, as the husband and i are starting up a new business, and want to wait till we have got the time to dedicate properly to enclosure building and what not, rather than being slap dash.

any regrets?

Thanks Kat

[mat_worrell]

Hi there kat.

I absolutely love it. It is so rewarding. I love the fact that you learn a little more everyday too. You get to know different behaviours and new behaviours. I have especially loved how hands on she has allowed me to be and being hand reared I have taught her most of what she knows (obviosly they have instinct but I have had to teach her a fair bit. ) I have eaten a whole bunch of different insects, dry foods, fruits and veg teaching her that these foods are good. I have even sat there and shelled monkey nuts and eaten them to teach her how to get into them. As I say I have really enjoyed this time but a part of me cannot help think that all this should have been taught by parents and siblings.

I have no regrets what so ever about keeping her. I put in three years of research and it was very nice when I got to the point where I knew I was confident enough, knew enough (although I still concider my self learning and always will. ) and actually went and picked her up.

The only thing I can say is a slight regret is the fact that she has been on her own. Although this will be changing very soon.

Hope this helps

Mat.

[mat_worrell]

Also I must add, the smell, everyone has their opinion on it and they are all different but I must say, I LOVE IT!! It is a real musky but sweet proper primate smell. When she has been on me you can smell it afterwards but as I say I do love it, everytime you catch a whiff of it it reminds me that all the research and hard work before getting her paid off, it's like a nostalgic reminder of my deep rooted passion!!

So just to clarify I do like the smell, just invade you were a little unsure. Lol.

[mat_worrell]

After picking up a male marmoset yesterday I opted for a mix of the two introduction styles.

I placed the male next to fizz and faced the door to the carrier he has in towards her. After a few calls to eachother and extended arms out to grab eachother I knew things would be ok to introduce them straight away.
They got on great and have continued to do so all of today also.

I will be posting pics on fizz's thread.