Pet Monkey?

[Demonique]

Was wondering if anyone has known or perhaps knows of someone who has a capuchin monkey for a pet? they are sweet little things that both the hubby and I have both wanted, but finding information can be a pain (although through the years I've learned much), but I am hoping to get in contact with someone who has had one for some time and get some hands on real world knowledge on raising one. We HAVE found people within 6 hour drive that has babies often for sale, and with buying a house in the near future, we've started looking more into it, but before making that rather big decision I want more info for obvious reasons.

Anyways, if you know of anyone, let me know?? I'm interested in learning more!

[Will]

I've always wanted a capuchin money and a marmosett monkey. Chances of ever getting one for me are very slim.

I haven't researched on them (since i'll never be able to get any probably).

[AngelWings]

Sorry i can't help :( I've never looked into getting monkeys and i don't know anyone who has one :(
i just hope my mom doesn't see this, her dream animal has always been monkeys, she doesn't care what kind, she just loves monkeys >.<

[softie]

I have never even thought of having a monkey, but I'm sure it'll be an absolute jungle! :D

Good luck in finding your little jumper :)

The only time I have ever seen a monkey for a pet was when I went to Animal Jungle in Virginia. They had a separate room that was all his, but I couldn't spot him. I'm not sure what species he was.

Are capuchin monkeys illegal in some areas?

[atvchick95]

I've never wanted to own one, plus i thought it was against the law to own any monkey as a pet :S

[Will]

I've seen them being sold on craigslist before for about $2,000 :eek:

I think they are illegal in some places.

[Ciisea]

They can be sweet... but they can also be extremely dangerous. There are plenty of people out there that have to give their capuchin monkey up because it attacks them. If they wan't to hurt you they can and will. I've heard they have incredible strength... like rip off fingers strength.

[keet_tweet4]

IMO there are limits and some types of animals are too exotic and should be in their natural environment, including monkeys, fennec foxes, sugar gliders, etc. Especially as some of them are endangered in the wild.

[softie]

IMO there are limits and some types of animals are too exotic and should be in their natural environment, including monkeys, fennec foxes, sugar gliders, etc. Especially as some of them are endangered in the wild.

I agree with you 100% .. It's really sad what people do to nature to turn them into business. =\
I actually saw these short-tailed mini opposums (I think that's what they are called?) in a pet store and there were these 3 tiny little things in a very small cage. :(

I can't help but think of Ross's monkey in Friends hehe :o Oh, how I miss that show

[Will]

IMO there are limits and some types of animals are too exotic and should be in their natural environment, including monkeys, fennec foxes, sugar gliders, etc. Especially as some of them are endangered in the wild.

I think the same thing, only with certain reptiles.

Sugar gliders I'm determined to get someday, like within the next year or two. They aren't all that exotic.
Fennec Foxes are like the monkeys, I really want one but probably won't be able to get one.

[Kate C]

Monkeys can be very sweet as babies but can be incredibly vicious when they become sexually active. A friend of mine used to keep and breed them when it was still legal to do so here in Australia for use in the serum laboratories and for zoos. He also bred squirells when they were legal in Australia. He had Rhesus monkeys and I think Marmoset's. He said they are incredibly vicious and had to go into the cages with protective gear so he didn't get attacked. They are incredibly strong for their size and can do a large amount of damage. These animals are best left in the wild and should not be kept as pets. So many end up in animal refuges when they become difficult to handle and because they are not frightened of humans it makes them even more dangerous. They often end up with sever psycological problems as they have been treated like children in the homes they have been in. They are best left to the experts in zoos etc.

[Demonique]

i just hope my mom doesn't see this, her dream animal has always been monkeys, she doesn't care what kind, she just loves monkeys

lol I know of 6 currently selling in Toronto and surrounding areas from $300 to $1000 all under 3 months. The small monkeys are legal in canada, but you'd have to check within your own municipality for any bylaws regarding having one for a pet. Myself, I wouldn't even concider buying one unless it's really young, a few weeks old, has been hand raised and I already have things set up for one here. I have heard that they make great little pets, and have been trained something like seeing eye dogs, only for quadrepelegics (sp) to help with house hold things like opening stuff, putting stuff away and all that.

As for keeping in thier natural habitat, keep in mind that there are many pets we currently buy or own that are not natural to the area or are endangered in thier natural habitats. Depends on how one looks at it I guess. I know of people who will argue that it's not right to buy a budgie or parrot or whatnot because again, they should remain in thier natural habitat, yet they are a popular pet. Would I ever take anything from the wild and bring it in for a pet?? no! the only exception is if it is hurt or sick and could use some help, but again, I try to get it back home ASAP.

But spider monkeys have been kept as pets for years, they are just not as wide spread as parrots and big birds as they are very much like having a child, complete with hands to get into things our birds otherwise have a hard time getting into :D

[Sweety&Tweety]

My uncle owns a used car dealership and someone brought in a monkey to use as partial payment on car. My uncle ended up with the monkey but from what I hear it's vicious. I don't know what kind it is though. About a year or more ago my uncle was out of town and the monkey got out of the cage and got across the street to a local elementary school. They could not get it down and they had to call the fire department to get it. Being wild it would not come to anyone so they had to get the water hose to spray him and eventually got him down. I heard the kids at that school had the best day of their life watching this monkey jumping around and watching people try to get it. The monkey was unharmed and my uncle still has it.

[keet_tweet4]

As for keeping in thier natural habitat, keep in mind that there are many pets we currently buy or own that are not natural to the area or are endangered in thier natural habitats. Depends on how one looks at it I guess. I know of people who will argue that it's not right to buy a budgie or parrot or whatnot because again, they should remain in thier natural habitat, yet they are a popular pet. Would I ever take anything from the wild and bring it in for a pet?? no! the only exception is if it is hurt or sick and could use some help, but again, I try to get it back home ASAP.



If monkeys and whatever are uncommon in the pet trade and there aren't many breeders, you are fuelling the market to take them from the wild. Same goes for other more "exotic" animals. Sometimes I can't help wondering what the heck the point is of having a several-foot anaconda in your living room, but whatever.

[Rainbow]

IMO there are limits and some types of animals are too exotic and should be in their natural environment, including monkeys, fennec foxes, sugar gliders, etc. Especially as some of them are endangered in the wild.
I think it's okay when they have breeding programs for them if they are endangered.

If people have enough knowledge I think exotics can be great pets and companions for many years. Gouldian finches are very endangered and people breed so many of them in captivity which is great because the way the world is going who knows if we'll be able to save the species soon enough in the wild. I was planning on buying myself a fennec fox when I get older, it's very wrong when people buy exotic pets when all they have is ''cool pet'' in their mind but if you do allot of research and plan for that animals future I don't see a problem with owning an exotic pet that will be well cared for.

As for monkeys as pets I have no clue about how to take care of them but I know it's like owning a child, they get into EVERYTHING and can be a very demanding animal to look after but if your all up for that maybe you could join some exotic animal forums (if there is any around). Phone the breeder and ask as many questions as you can, they'll know exactly what it's like living with monkeys lol.

[keet_tweet4]

I can see how breeding for release into the wild would help them in the wild, but how would having one in a cage in your bedroom named Sammy help the wild ones?

[Rainbow]

I can see how breeding for release into the wild would help them in the wild, but how would having one in a cage in your bedroom named Sammy help the wild ones?
I'm just trying to say exotic animals can still be great pets like gouldians if that makes any sense and I doubt it will lol, Gregory is a wild bird and was meant to live in the wild but I love him so much and take care of him so well... he's like an exotic pet but he's still very happy even in a human home. I think if people want to get an exotic pet maybe they could look into exotic rescues. :)

[Brown9944]

When I was on holidays in Japan we went into this MASSIVE pet shop...it was two storey's with EVERY (legal) pet imaginable.
They also had monkeys! VERY cute...but I have heard when they grow up they can become quite violent...
:cool:.

[Goldielover]

I think it would be too much like having a perpetual two year old in the house.:) Nothing wrong with a two year old, but you don't want that phase to go on forever. I don't think I could cope with the damage.

[chompie_puppy]

In South Africa you can buy monkeys as pets all over the place. Not surprising since Africa has so many monkeys to begin with.

The Zulu tribes in Africa would capture baboons and feed them salt for a day. Then they would release the baboon and it would lead them straight to the nearest clean drinkable waterhole.

My friend in primary school had two monkeys as pets. Her parents were literally going crazy living with these monkeys.

If you leave the house they need to go with you. If you lock them in a cage at home they will scream and become self destructive (it would be like leaving a 2 year old in a cage for hours). If you leave them at home but not in a cage then they will trash your house.

They get into everything and anything. They attack visitors to the house and will bite... A LOT! You will need to "Baby proof" your house if you do get a monkey. Locks on ALL cabinets and cupboards. You will also need to keep them occupied elsewhere when you ar cooking food because they will get into the hot food or jump onto a hot stove!

They may look tiny, but man are they strong. My friend's monkeys would open the oven door all the time to check if food was inside. They had to find a lock for that too. :rolleyes:

[x_zipped_x]

i know a few people who own a monkey they said its thw sweetest pet they ever had although its the same as taking care of a baby and need alot and alot of attention

[tstmard]

I don't think it's right. I watched a show about people having monkeys as pets and it showed a shelter for monkeys and just watching it broke my heart. Also the one lady who had one and treated it like her child actually had to have it's teeth pulled because it was biting. So do I think they make a good pet NO. At least with keeping birds we're not ripping out their teeth just so we can have them. I think it's a pet industry that needs to be stopped.
Here's the link to the page with info on the show I didn't look to hard to see if you could watch it online or not. But I'd almost say buy the tape and watch it, it shows what owning a monkey is really like. It even shows a women who got a monkey and who loved it but it just got to be too much so she had to send it to the shelter. So this has really good info.
http://abcnewsstore.go.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DSIProductDisplay?catalogId=11002&storeId=20051&productId=2019908&langId=-1&categoryId=100014

[Serenity]

I looked at a bit of information about them once. There are quite a few videos on YouTube as well. My friend wanted us to get one, but the more I read, the more I was against the idea. There's far too much wrong with the idea.

This was mentioned previously... having a pet monkey is a lot like having a baby (and eventually, a toddler). It's a huge responsibility. They even need their own room in the house. And yeah, I think they are illegal in some places, so you'd have to check that out.

I agree that there are places to draw the line when owning animals... There are people on another forum I'm own that own medium-sized exotic cats (bobcats, maybe? I don't remember), and I don't really agree with that, either...

[SpickyDavies]

A MONKEY!?:P

how funny haha
i remember seeing this women had one in like a monkey avairy
and she got like arested it was there for years!!!

[lamagdalena]

I don't think most people could handle owning a monkey in an urban setting. Unless like it has been stated here, you are keeping monkeys for the species propagation and have land where you can keep him/them in a natural setting I don't see owning a monkey as a good choice for all of the monkey's natural life.

One thing I could never do is raise an animal, be it monkey or otherwise just so labs can buy them and experiment on them. That has got to be one of the saddest, most cruel existences for any animal.

[Kate C]

The Serum Laboratories my friend raised them for did not use them for experiments. They occassionally took blood from them for use in human innoculations. The monkeys were not harmed in any way no worse than taking blood from a human. They were hand raised and trained to allow it. The Rhesus Monkey has blood very similar to humans. That is where the Rhesus Factor in human blood came from. When you see your blood type and it says Rh + or -, this is the Rhesus factor. This blood was essential in making serums for humans for things like snake bites and for innoculations like tetanus etc.

The difference with birds in captivity especially budgies over things like monkeys and other wild animals. The budgie has been bred in captivity for over 200 years. They would have great difficulty surviving in the wild. Especially with the different colours. They would stand out too much and be wide open to predator attack. I know the Alexandrine has been bred in captivity in Australia for around 50 years.

[Babybreau]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal now most everywhere as they are exotic animals and endangered in the wild.

I've also heard they can be MEAN NASTY little things once they hit sexual maturity. I'd never ever want one. They deserve to be in the jungles, not captive as pets. Most of the ones as pets have been smuggled in as babies. You cannot breed them legally.

[Babybreau]

I agree that there are places to draw the line when owning animals... There are people on another forum I'm own that own medium-sized exotic cats (bobcats, maybe? I don't remember), and I don't really agree with that, either...

I completely agree. We have to draw the line somewhere. Makes me think of the man who was held captive by his own pet TIGER in an APARTMENT in New York City! Can we say DUMB????
He had to call 911 and he couldn't get near the door to his apt. The firefighters had to put a ladder up outside so wildlife officials could get in to tranquilize the cat.

I guess the latest fad in cats is owning an African Serval (as pictured here, this one lives in my city and has been a pet for 18 yrs.)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Babybreau/CheemaBeth_July2007.jpg

I don't agree with it at all. They sell for up around $22000 nowadays I guess.

[birdybuddy1]

The difference with birds in captivity especially budgies over things like monkeys and other wild animals. The budgie has been bred in captivity for over 200 years. They would have great difficulty surviving in the wild. Especially with the different colours. They would stand out too much and be wide open to predator attack. I know the Alexandrine has been bred in captivity in Australia for around 50 years.

I TOTALLY agree. Monkeys are just not meant to be a pet. They need to be free, and I just don't think it is at all right to keep one as a pet.

[Will]

I don't really get what the big deal with owning wild animals is. The dangerous ones (like tigers or bears) I can understand. But what about raccoons or an animal like that that would get killed one way or another in the wild before it reached a couple years old anyway. (like being hunted by humans or getting run over by cars, both of which are humans fault). If you kept one as a pet you'd be ensuring that it was kept safe and had as long and happy life as you could provide it. People say you can't "play God" like that but really, I don't see what's so bad about it.

[softie]

I don't agree with owning monkeys as pets, but when you really think of the term, "exotic"... people make exceptions to it.

I'm not going to go so deep into it, but for an example, my leopard geckos are exotic animals. They are bred easily, very common in pet trade, but they are exotic as in the wild, they don't have much of human contact.

Monkeys are definitely not bred to ensure pet trade, so I guess they are more "exotic" than leopard geckos, but bettas and snakes are also exotic, as well as many other animals that are common in pet trade.

So what does exotic really mean? :S (When it comes to nature's definitions)

Like I said, I don't agree with monkeys or bobcats or tigers being pets. I'll just leave it at that.

[Kate C]

With birds what is usually meant by Exotic in Australia is a bird that does not originate from this country. Being Exotic and not Native.

[lamagdalena]

there is a cat that was bred I think in china a few years ago that looks like that serval but it's a normal house hold cat with those "spots". It is truly very beautiful and completely tame, hyet they cost i think more than 10,000, I wish I could find the picture.

[Babybreau]

With birds what is usually meant by Exotic in Australia is a bird that does not originate from this country. Being Exotic and not Native.

I agree with that definition and would apply it to any species of animal.

Now a raccoon or a squirrel would not be termed as an "exotic" pet as they are native to North America. HOWEVER, they are WILD animals, with wild instincts, cannot be kept easily in cages, fed a proper diet, cannot be kept easily in a home, and are completely unpredictable. So for these reasons, it is against the law to take a wild animal into your home and try to make it into a pet.
There were no laws against this hundreds of years ago when cats, dogs, horses, birds, etc... were captured and "made" into pets. There was no federal wildlife agency around to protect the animals. And they are out to protect humans as well as animals. I mean we've all heard the horror stories of pet boa constrictors and pythons swallowing adored pets and even the rumors of swallowing babies. We all know that a raccoon can turn on you in an instant, especially if they are scared. We all learned from the most famous tiger trainers of all, Siegfried and Roy, that even adored pets can turn on you without a moments' notice. We've all seen those reality-type shows "when animals attack". THESE are the reasons that exotics aren't good pets. For a person to take an animal out of the wild and keep it, just because they think "it would die anyways", then they are being selfish. There are reasons animals live in the woods/jungles/deserts/etc... and not in houses like humans. They have evolved and adapted for their wild environments. And because dogs, cats, horses, etc... HAVE been bred in captivity and "made" into pets for HUNDREDS of years, their wild instincts (for the most part) have been bred out of them and they have adapted to their tame environments. Yes there are always the few that "go wild", but I'm talking for the most part.
So taking ANY exotic pet that has NOT been bred as a pet for many many years and trying to make it into a pet is just selfish. It's like trying to suddenly bring back the slave trade in humans(altho it seems to be worse than ever in 3rd world countries, but that's another topic). It was cruel and so is trying to tame a wild animal.

[Babybreau]

there is a cat that was bred I think in china a few years ago that looks like that serval but it's a normal house hold cat with those "spots". It is truly very beautiful and completely tame, hyet they cost i think more than 10,000, I wish I could find the picture.

I believe I know what you are talking about. When looking up servals, I found that if you crossed a regular house cat with a serval, they termed the kittens "savannah"s
They look like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Babybreau/200px-Savannah_Cat_portrait.jpg

Also, depending on where you live, it could be illegal to own one.

I found this "Laws governing ownership of Savannah cats in the United States vary according to state. Most notably, hybrid cats—defined as a domestic/wild species cross—such as the Savannah are illegal to own as pets in the state of New York as of 2005. Other states known to have laws restricting hybrid cat ownership include but are not necessarily limited to: Alaska, Iowa, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Georgia.

The Australian Federal government was investigating whether to ban the Savannah cat, as it could potentially threaten the country's native wildlife. A government report into the proposed importation of the cats has warned the hybrid breed may introduce enhanced hunting skills into feral cat populations and put keystone native species at risk. The report states that the Savannah cats are not worth the risk. "

This is an Ashera, a cross between an African Serval, an Asian Leopard, and a domestic cat. These are also illegal to own in most states.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Babybreau/ashera.jpg

And yes, they cost anywhere between $10,000.00 and $22,000.00

[Robin's Nest]

I just wanted to say - those are some pretty kitty cats!:D

[Will]

And Bengals are crosses between asian leopards and house cats I believe. I have bengal-tabby crosses and they're so pretty. They look alot like Savannahs because of the spots.

[naburu]

My grandma told me about the lady who kept her monkey as a baby and had it's teeth pulled.

She also told me that a lot of people will have the monkey's paws or fingers cut off so they can't use them, and apparently they are mistreated a lot because the fact that they aren't always kept in the best of homes. I think you need to try interacting with them, and researching ALOT and then thinking about it. Because you never know, you might even be allergic! Just please think it through before you buy it from excitement!

[softie]

Tanya, excellent posts! :D

And I am in full agreement :)

[lamagdalena]

This is an Ashera, a cross between an African Serval, an Asian Leopard, and a domestic cat. These are also illegal to own in most states.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/Babybreau/ashera.jpg

And yes, they cost anywhere between $10,000.00 and $22,000.00

I just looked again and yeah, I was thinking of the Ashera. They call it mix breedings and they have this to say:

Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.

The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.

[Goldielover]

I think I'll stick to my three feral rescues, thank you very much. They're quite wild cat enough for me at times.:D Two are pretty well as tame as any domestic born cat, but the third still goes through times when she thinks all humans are her enemies, even although she has been inside for two years now.

[Babybreau]

I just wanted to say - those are some pretty kitty cats!:D
Yes they are gorgeous, however they are usually bigger than a dog and they are TOO much cat for me. I'love my Oliver, thank you very much. he;s lots of cat for me :D

Tanya, excellent posts! :D

And I am in full agreement :)

Thank you very much :D

I just looked again and yeah, I was thinking of the Ashera. They call it mix breedings and they have this to say:

Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.

The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.

Gotta love how they call an animal "an exclusive PRODUCT"! I don't care what went into making it, it is still an ANIMAL!!
Grrrrrr....!!!!!
And to top it off, regardless of his "secret recipe" (since when is a cat like fried chicken???) he can't copyright it!!! It's DNA. DNA cannot be copyrighted!

Companies and people like that make me SICK!!!