Wild jungle fruit has much more fiber, more protein, and a much lower sugar content than what we buy at the store. Also, in the wild monkeys have to forage for food all day and burn a lot of calories doing so, which is something that doesn’t happen when food gets readily presented in their food dish. It is one of the reasons why zoos often try to make their monkeys work for their food because exercise is just as important as a healthy diet. At the federal level, the Animal Welfare Act regulates the handling and care of captive wild animals, but does not explicitly prohibit private monkey ownership.
Vet and Medical Care
But more activists and pro-animal rights groups are working on having legislation enacted to ban private monkey ownership in these states. If you live in the United States, as of 2012, 17 states have no restrictions when it comes to keeping monkeys as pets. Despite their small sap commerce cloud size, monkeys are incredibly strong animals capable of severely injuring or biting humans.
Without proper space or socialization, pet monkeys often fail to adjust this innate behavior to live amiably alongside humans. Again, bitcoin miner for sale 2020 make sure to first check your state laws and once you’re sure you can legally keep monkeys as pets in your state, check your county and city laws. Loosing your monkey because of legalities can be very traumatic for primate owners and their monkeys since they get really bonded to their social companions. Diabetes with capuchin monkeys, and especially capuchins monkeys kept as pets, is fairly common but can in most cases be prevented.
- Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Florida takes in monkeys that are relinquished as pets from owners who either could not handle their care or had them illegally.
- This will also give you time to comply with any existing papers if permits are required.
- Before buying a monkey, make sure that you check your state, county, and city laws.
- To prevent this, provide lots of interactive toys and puzzles, like treat-dispensing balls, foraging boxes, and rags or cardboard for shredding.
- Once you know it is legal to keep a capuchin monkey in your state, you’ll need to find out if the county you live in has any ordinances against primate ownership.
It really is both an emotional and financial commitment to have a monkey as a pet. However, there are organizations like Monkey Helpers that provide trained Capuchin monkeys free of charge to individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries or have mobility issues. As you deal with these reputable monkey breeders, make sure to keep in touch with them since they can help you in terms of caring for your very own monkey once you purchase one. When you buy a monkey, you need to be prepared to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000 depending on the breed of monkey you want or whether you want a baby or an adult. It’s also worth noting this monkey is strong and has the tendency to become aggressive, even overplay, which can be too much to handle for some owners. Adding an outdoor play area allows time outside the enclosure but requires supervision for safety.
Alternatives to Owning a Pet Monkey
Owning an exotic pet like a the 14 best bitcoin wallets of 2021 revealed! monkey can sound exciting, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. If you’re considering getting a pet monkey, read this comprehensive guide first to learn if it’s the right choice for you and how to properly care for a primate. Buying a pet monkey isn’t as easy as strolling into your local pet store or contacting one of the many breeders for the type of dog or cat breed you want. Small monkeys seem cute and cuddly and are attention-getters, but they are also intelligent and, at times, even human-like.
To help you navigate through this, here is a helpful guide for you to have an idea of how much you’ll need to shell out when you get your own pet monkey. Some studies have shown that primates confined in isolation develop symptoms of depression resembling those seen in humans, like anhedonia and social withdrawal (Lutz). Captive primates often engage in stereotypical behaviors like pacing and rocking due to stress and boredom. Primate owners should also keep basic first aid supplies on hand, as well as contact information for a specialized vet and local wildlife authorities. Common primate emergencies include trauma, difficulty breathing, seizures, or severe lethargy. It’s important to be prepared for any emergencies that could arise with your pet monkey.
If not given a proper environment to live in and mental and physical enrichment, they can quickly become aggressive and destructive. They also are difficult to house train and will need to wear diapers for their entire lifetime. While many people seem to prefer to obtain baby capuchins for sale from a breeder directly, in the end it all depends on the reliability of that breeder or broker. Before getting your monkey from any breeder or broker, get feedback from current owners through social media groups to see what their experience was with a particular breeder or broker.
Buying a Pet Monkey: How Much Does a Baby Monkey Cost?
Denying them proper mental enrichment and chances to socialize can cause them distress and behavioral issues like aggression or self-harm (AWA, 2021). As pets, monkeys need adequate space, toys, and activities to engage their minds and opportunities to bond with their owners through daily playtime and positive interaction. They may not like the other people in your life, and since they tend to be aggressive as adults, you may run into biting and other unpredictable behaviors. Keeping monkeys from their natural environments, with other monkeys, can also lead to aggression. Keep in mind, monkeys are not domesticated, so their wild instincts are still intact. They can become tame, but dangerous situations may still occur due to natural behaviors.
Check for volunteer opportunities at reputable zoos, sanctuaries, and primate rescue centers near you. Giving your time to help monkeys can be incredibly rewarding without the demanding commitment of personally owning one as a pet. Volunteering allows you to bond closely with monkeys and other animals while supporting organizations that work to protect threatened species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction.