ZuPreem Primate Diet Guide: Marmoset and Leaf-Eater Formulas
ZuPreem makes three primate-specific diets, and each one is built for a different feeding situation rather than a different species tier. Picking the right one comes down to what the animal actually is, not just "primate." Here is how the three formulas break down, where they fit alongside Mazuri's leaf-eater line, and what a facility or individual keeper needs to know before ordering.
The three ZuPreem primate diets at a glance
ZuPreem's primate lineup covers callitrichids and general non-human primates, in both canned and dry form. ZuPreem Marmoset Diet Canned runs 8.5 percent crude protein minimum and 2.5 percent crude fat minimum, formulated specifically for marmosets and tamarins. ZuPreem Primate Diet Canned carries the same 8.5 percent protein and 2.5 percent fat minimums but is formulated for the broader non-human primate and great ape population, not just callitrichids. ZuPreem Primate Diet Dry steps up to 20 percent crude protein minimum and 5 percent crude fat minimum, and is built for the same non-human primate and great ape population across all life stages. The two canned diets look similar on protein and fat, but they are not interchangeable, and the dry formula is not simply a "more concentrated" version of the canned ones. Each is formulated around its own target species profile.
Marmoset Diet Canned: built for callitrichids
Marmosets and tamarins have narrower nutritional requirements than larger primates, and ZuPreem Marmoset Diet Canned is formulated around that. Most marmosets consume roughly 1 to 2 ounces of the diet daily, fed free choice. Because callitrichids cannot synthesize their own vitamin C, keepers typically supplement with a small amount of fresh fruit alongside the base diet, commonly about a half to a full orange per animal per week. This lines up with the broader nutritional picture for the group: according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, most nonhuman primates are susceptible to vitamin C deficiency, while strepsirrhine primates such as lemurs are able to produce their own. Callitrichids fall into the group that cannot, which is why the supplementation step matters even with a complete base diet.
Primate Diet Canned and Dry: the general non-human primate base
For non-human primates outside the callitrichid group, and for great apes, ZuPreem Primate Diet Canned and ZuPreem Primate Diet Dry serve as the base diet. The canned formula is typically fed at roughly one can per 25 to 30 pounds of body weight daily. The dry formula is fed at roughly one pound per 35 pounds of body weight daily, and can be offered free choice for growing animals or animals not prone to obesity. Facilities running mixed collections often stock both forms, using the dry diet as the daily base and the canned diet for enrichment, medication delivery, or animals that need a softer diet.
Where leaf-eating primates fit
Leaf-eating, or folivorous, primates (colobus monkeys, langurs, and related species) have a different digestive setup than callitrichids or general omnivorous primates, and neither ZuPreem primate diet is formulated specifically for that group. On Exotic Animal Supply's leaf-eating primate collection, ZuPreem's Primate Diet Canned and Dry are stocked alongside Mazuri's dedicated Leaf-Eater biscuit formulas, which are purpose-built for folivore digestion. For a facility housing colobus, langurs, or other folivorous species, that usually means Mazuri's Leaf-Eater line as the primary diet, with ZuPreem's general primate diets used as a supplemental or transitional feed rather than the base. This is worth stating plainly rather than stretching ZuPreem's general formulas to cover a niche they weren't built for.
Choosing the right formula
The species determines the starting point. Marmosets and tamarins start with Marmoset Diet Canned. General non-human primates and great apes start with Primate Diet Canned or Primate Diet Dry, chosen by whether the collection needs a dry daily base, a canned option, or both. Leaf-eating species need Mazuri's Leaf-Eater formulas as the primary diet rather than either ZuPreem option alone. The full callitrichid collection and primate collection cover the complete range of formulas across both brands for facilities building out a multi-species feeding program.
Sourcing at facility scale
Zoos, sanctuaries, and research facilities running primate collections need supply reliability as much as formula accuracy. Exotic Animal Supply stocks all three ZuPreem primate diets alongside the full Mazuri leaf-eater and primate lines from climate-controlled warehouses in Fort Worth, Houston, Orlando, and Durham, with same-day shipping on orders placed before 2 PM EST. Facilities ordering at volume, or coordinating recurring shipments across a multi-species collection, can contact the team directly to set up standing orders.
FAQ
What is the difference between ZuPreem Marmoset Diet and ZuPreem Primate Diet?
Marmoset Diet Canned is formulated specifically for marmosets and tamarins. Primate Diet Canned and Dry are formulated for the broader non-human primate and great ape population. Both canned versions share the same minimum protein and fat levels, but they are built around different target species and are not interchangeable by default.
Can ZuPreem Primate Diet be used for leaf-eating primates like colobus monkeys?
Neither ZuPreem primate diet is formulated specifically for folivorous species. Mazuri's Leaf-Eater biscuit formulas are purpose-built for that digestive profile and are the standard primary diet for colobus monkeys, langurs, and similar species, with ZuPreem's general diets used as a supplemental option.
Do marmosets need vitamin C supplementation on ZuPreem Marmoset Diet?
Yes. Marmosets and other callitrichids cannot synthesize their own vitamin C, so keepers typically supplement with fresh fruit, commonly about a half to a full orange per animal per week, alongside the base diet.
What is the difference between ZuPreem Primate Diet Canned and Dry?
The dry formula has a higher minimum protein level, at 20 percent versus 8.5 percent for the canned formula, and a higher minimum fat level, at 5 percent versus 2.5 percent. Facilities often use the dry formula as the daily free-choice base and the canned formula for enrichment or animals needing a softer diet.
Where can a zoo or research facility source ZuPreem primate diets in bulk?
Exotic Animal Supply carries all three ZuPreem primate diets alongside Mazuri's leaf-eater and primate lines, shipping same-day from four climate-controlled warehouses. Facilities can contact the team directly for volume pricing and standing orders.