Capturing and handling marmosets (2008)

Donnelly, M. J.

Abstract

After this getting acquainted period, I generally offer a favorite treat from the glove, such as marshmallow, at the outside of the cages, followed by reaching inside and allowing the marmosets to take the treat if they choose directly from the glove. Next we catch the marmosets, but do not remove them from the cage; usually I take them around the waist while they hang on to the bars. Next, I catch them off the bars but keep them inside the cage, progressing to catching them and removing them from the cage but not from the housing room. They are then caught and removed from the housing room and brought to the study room where routine blood collection or some type of study would take place. Unfortunately, marmosets do become upset at first, but they seem to progress to accepting the catch procedure if you break your training into small steps such as these.We have conditioned and trained each and every animal for the restraint tube by placing them in the tube and gradually increasing the time they remained there. The key word is gradually. They each have had over 150 training sessions plus refresher sessions. They have no problem going into restraint tubes and do not seem stressed while in the tubes. However, when blood collection starts some will still become somewhat stressed. They receive a highly valued treat directly following the procedure and in most cases are returned to the cage once all bleeding has ceased. They are also brought out with friends. Generally we have four to six marmosets out at a time and all are returned to the cage once bleeding has ceased.