Debbie Elgin, age 8, of Hamilton, Ohio, for her question:

WHICH KIND OF MONKEY IS THE SMALLEST?

Marmoset is the name of the smallest kind of monkey in the world. This little animal is about eight inches long although it also trails a 12 inch tail.

A pygmy marmoset is often under six inches in length. It has an eight inch tail.

Marmosets are found in South America in the wilds. Many of them have made their way to zoos and animal parks around the world. The little animals have silky fur that is marbled with black and gray, black heads and long white tufts of hair around their ears.

Marmosets are very active animals. They scurry through tree branches like squirrels.

A female marmoset usually has twins. Triple births are more common than single births. The male usually carries the babies about. They cling to his back. The female carries them only at feeding time.