Monkeys As Pets

 

Marmosets

Very small, the marmoset is a charming creature with highly social behavior.  Family groups may consist of up to 15 monkeys.  More short lived than other types of small moneys, a life span of around 10 years is normal in the wild, while marmosets in captivity can be expected to live up to 16-18 years.  These primates are naturally found in various Brazilian states; living in forests, fields and even cities.  Their diets are rather limited, with sap, insects, small invertebrates and bird eggs making up most of their meals.  A fast runner and proficient jumper, the marmoset spends about ¼ of its day searching for food.  When captured for the sale as pets, tiny baby marmosets of only 3 to 10 days of age are removed from their protective mothers for hand rearing.  Minute by minute care of these diminutive infants is required for their very survival.  Baby formula must be fed to them initially, with their diets growing to a varied menu as they grow older.  Marmosets develop quite a sweet tooth; satisfied in the wild by the tree sap they relish, but must also have protein and vegetable matter for a healthy diet.  Disease is common with the marmoset, and they grow to be quite aggressive even in the best of home environments.

 

One of the beliefs about monkeys is that they will adapt with new behaviors when removed from their natural habitat.  While you can take the monkey from the wild, you cannot take the wild from the monkey.  The same instincts, actions and behaviors that they would exhibit in jungles will emerge once the monkey has reached a stage in life; usually when they would normally become sexually active.  It is at this time that problems begin to occur, with the monkeys unleashing violent behaviors with little or no provocation. 

 

A common misconception of those who want to keep pet monkeys despite knowing the danger they may face is that the solution is to have the baby monkey’s teeth pulled and having it sterilized.  Removing perfectly healthy teeth from these creatures just so they can entertain a human is simply inhumane.  Many believe that by sterilizing, the monkey would not display aggressive behavior once sexual maturity was reached.  This train of thought is erroneous, as many monkey attacks on their owners have been by sterilized adult monkeys. 

 

There are many reasons that keeping these primates as pets is not a good idea.  Care of pet monkeys is a 24 hour job.  Since they require social interaction, you as their owner will now have to provide that continual stimulation.  That may seem like a fun job for the first week or so, but now consider that monkeys live between 20 and 45 years, depending on the type of monkey.  The care of these engaging pets will be like having a perpetual 2 year old living under your roof for that period of time.  

 

Another very important reason for dismissing the idea of pet monkeys is the expense.  Special diets require special foods, and these come at a premium.  Monkeys should never be fed human food.  Regular veterinarian care will be needed, with costs associated with every visit; extra is any medications are required.  If you want your monkey to roam the house freely, diapers will be needed if you don’t want to be continually cleaning up the mess of natural bodily eliminations and discarded food.  With the intelligence that monkeys are credited, you will find there is not a door they cannot open, with everything contained inside to be a potential hazard to the creature. 

 

Having a monkey as a pet seems to be a grand idea when their delightful antics are being viewed through zoo cages or being depicted on a television show.  Bringing the wild creature into your home is a completely different environment and obligation.  The rearing of monkeys is best left to zoo keepers, who have been formally training on the proper care of the creatures.  The best scenario of all is to leave the monkeys in their natural habitats where they are part of its synergistic atmosphere.