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- Monkeys are great companions that have the potential to share a vast portion of a person’s life with them, but they’re terrible in one’s home. They are curious and intelligent animals that need a lot of attention and support. Like many other animals, they are wild and difficult to tame.
a-z-animals.com/animals/monkey/monkey-facts/monkeys-as-pets/9 Monkey Breeds That People Keep as Pets... But Is It Safe ...
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Jul 24, 2023 · While there are undoubtedly pros to having a monkey as a companion - their intelligence, playfulness, and ability to form strong bonds - there are also cons that must be carefully weighed. Join me on this scientific exploration as we uncover the intricacies of owning a monkey pet.
- Overview
- Health Concerns
- Aggressive Displays
Thousands of nonhuman primates are hosted as companions in people's homes across the U.S.—relationships that often end in tears.
Thinking about acquiring a monkey to keep as an adorable pet? Think carefully. Thousands of nonhuman primates are hosted as companions in people's homes across the United States—relationships that often end in tears.
As babies these big-eyed, furry creatures may seem harmless. But once they reach sexual maturity, experts warn, monkeys can become aggressive. And some primates harbor deadly diseases, like herpes B, that they can pass on to human primates via bites and scratches.
Many people remain undaunted by the risks of adopting primates in their homes. Viewed as status symbols or substitute children, monkeys are commonly sold for thousands of dollars through newspaper ads and the Internet.
"We're looking for a baby monkey to love and spoil," writes one woman from Orlando, Florida, on an electronic bulletin board. "We are unable to have anymore children and have a void in our hearts. We need a baby to love!"
A quick Internet search reveals a thriving trade in just about every species of primate, from capuchins to chimpanzees. Prices range from U.S. $1,500 to $50,000. Even endangered species, like Diana monkeys, lemurs, and gibbons, are for sale.
Veterinarian Kevin Wright of the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona says primates are highly intelligent, emotionally complex, and long-lived animals that need to be around their own kind in order to develop normally.
"If you try to keep them as pets you're creating a mentally disturbed animal in 99.9 percent of the cases," said Wright, director of conservation, science and sanctuary at the zoo. "The animal will never be able to fit in any other home. Never learn how to get along with other monkeys. And, more often than not, will end up with a lot of behavioral traits that are self-destructive."
Zoonotic diseases are also a concern. Human cold sores, he said, can kill smaller monkeys like marmosets and tamarins. While macaques can carry herpes B, a potentially fatal virus to humans. Most people are infected through bites or scratches.
The test used to determine if a monkey has the virus is "good but not 100 percent accurate," said Wright. If a monkey tests negative, many zoos still manage the animal as if it has the virus, he said, because the consequence of a false test can be deadly to human handlers.
The health and safety hazards associated with exposure to monkeys and other nonhuman primates prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in 1975 to prohibit them from being imported into the United States for use as pets.
Today, monkeys offered for sale are surplus animals from zoos and laboratories or from breeders, says April Truitt, founder of The Primate Rescue Center in Kentucky.
In an attempt to establish dominance, monkeys may attack their human family members. Once owners realize they can't handle the animals, they look to place them in other homes.
Zoos don't take former pets. Some unwanted primates end up in sanctuaries to live out their remaining days. Sadly, most end up being sold and resold over and over again. Others are sent to laboratories or used in breeding programs.
As pets grow older, stronger and more unpredictable, some owners may attempt to change the animal's natural behavior. Sanctuary owners say those tactics include confinement in small enclosures, chaining, shocking, beating, and removal of teeth and nails to prevent scratching and biting.
"Primates are wild animals," said Truitt of the Primate Rescue Center. "No amount of surgical mutilation, training, or beating will ever change that."
An interview request was declined by Charles Stonecipher, vice president of the Simian Society of America, an organization primarily composed of private owners. Another interview request sent to President Walt Gresham was unanswered as of press time.
On average, Truitt receives two phone calls a day from people who want to relinquish their animals. Primatology students also call requesting permission to visit the sanctuary, which has more than 50 primates, to study animal behavior.
Feb 13, 2024 · Squirrel monkeys, marmosets, sugar gliders, and ferrets all offer unique qualities that may appeal to those looking for a monkey-like companion. However, it's important to remember that owning any exotic pet requires a commitment of time, effort, and resources to ensure their welfare and well-being.
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- Highly social
- Up to 50 years
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Mar 15, 2024 · Despite the controversy surrounding the ownership of pet monkeys, many people still choose to keep them as companions. Among the various monkey breeds, some of the more popular choices for pets include the capuchin monkey, the squirrel monkey, and the macaque.
Jan 26, 2021 · While there are many types of pet monkeys, a primate is not a good companion animal. With that in mind, the capuchin monkey is seen in many movies and one of the pets frequently available at animal auctions.
Here are some more reasons why primates don't make good pets: They're potentially dangerous – while they might look cute, they can become aggressive when they mature and have been known to bite and attack their owners. Monkeys like marmosets scent mark extensively, spreading their musky smell everywhere.
