Humans Viewed as a Threat

• Humans can be viewed as predators by marmosets, especially if they become associated with negative events
• If so, marmosets may become nervous, highly alert and vigilant and be easily stressed and agitated in your presence
• Behaviour that indicates your marmosets view you as a threat includes: anogenital tail present, alarm-calling (ek, tsik, seeps and particularly the mobbing call), their hair fluffing/bristling up (piloerection), agitated, ‘nervy’ locomotion and mobbing behaviour

Humans Viewed as a Positive Part of the Environment

• Marmosets that have got used to you, and view you as a neutral or positive presence, will display: relaxed calm locomotion, carry out positive behaviours such as allogrooming, resting and play, and will be relatively silent (apart from the quiet whirr call) while you are around them
• Bear in mind that a change of clothing, footwear or perfume may mean that the marmosets do not recognise you and may respond, as they did before habituating to you

Recognising Individual Marmosets

• Naming and being able to identify each marmoset helps in getting to know your marmosets as individuals
• Each marmoset has their own character and ways of behaving
• Individuals can be identified by facial markings and characteristics, size differences and coat markings
• Methods for temporary identification marking include:
  non-irritant hair dyes and fur clipping on the tail

Getting Marmosets Used to You

• Both marmosets and caregiver can benefit from developing a positive relationship
• Captive marmosets need to be shown that humans are a benign part of their environment through ‘socialisation’
• Socialisation allows the marmosets to become used to you being close to them, but avoid touching them with your hands: there is no evidence that marmosets enjoy being stroked
• Human contact can in no way replace contact with other marmosets

Encouraging Approach

• First step: encourage the marmosets to come closer to you by offering food
• Rather than approach them, hold out the food and they will come to you. This puts them in control: giving them the choice to approach or retreat.
• Food can be offered to them whilst still allowing them to maintain their distance using bamboo skewers.
• Be patient, stay quiet and do not make sudden or unpredictable movement
• Bolder marmosets will approach first whereas it may take longer for more nervy individuals

Human Lap

• Human laps provide a soft warm place on which to sit and play