7 Types of Primates that Can Be Kept as Pets
The adorable monkeys are almost relatable. Humans share genetic material with them, so caring for them can be difficult. There are over 350 species of primates that hail from Asia, Africa, and the New World. Only seven of these primates are kept as pets. Every print (a chimpanzee, technically, is not a monkey) has unique needs. Here are some facts about capuchins and chimpanzees. Before you bring one home, consider these important considerations.
Important Considerations Before Buying a Primate
Before you make a decision about whether to adopt or buy a primate pet, here are some things you should know. Primates are not good pets. Larger primates like chimpanzees make terrible household pets.
It is not cheap to buy a primate. However, rising costs such as a lifetime supply, diapers, and vet bills can add up quickly.
You and your family are at risk from all primates. Even if the animal is raised from birth, they are still wild animals that could become aggressive and bite you. Smaller monkeys can bite or attack you and cause havoc in your home. The risk of injury or death to larger monkeys and chimps is greater for larger monkeys. Although there are rare cases in which a monkey is well-trained, and can live out its entire existence without causing any harm to others, most cases pose too great a risk.
Primate is generally long-lived and, despite their cute appearance, is not affectionate. Primate requires you to spend a lot of time with them every day, and they need large enclosures. Even zoos that have large enclosures in naturalistic settings are often criticized for not having enough space. Although some animals can live in enclosures of 30 feet or more, others never adapt well to living in enclosed spaces.
A varied and fresh diet is essential for monkeys and apes. They also need to be enriched with enrichment and social interaction every day. These needs must be met or the animal can become depressed, lonely, and aggressive if they are not met.
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1 Capuchin
Capuchins are New World monkeys. They often appear in movies and television as the capuchin, a hat-and vest-wearing monkey who makes money off-street performances. These intelligent, territorial, and mischievous monkeys live a long life, with an average of 40 years. Despite being intelligent, they don't learn how to use the toilet. They also need diapers throughout their lives.
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2 Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees can be dangerous and aggressive, so people have not kept them as pets. Chimps can be confused for monkeys. They are great apes that live in the African forests and savanna. Although humans share the most DNA with this species, chimps have larger, more powerful brains and can outpower humans in brute strength. Chimps can even kill humans. This species is also long-lived in captivity and can live up to 60 years. It requires diapers when it is not inside its enclosure.
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3 Macaque
Macaques, which are smaller monkeys, hail from Asia. They can grow up to 40 pounds, and they can live for up to 30 more years. They must also wear diapers all their lives. They require a secure, large cage to ensure they are not lost or running away from your home. These primates are small and require large enclosures of at least 30 feet in size.
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4 Tamarin
Tamarins, a New World monkey that is smaller than a pound in weight, can live up to 15 years in captivity. They can still bite, despite their small mouths. They require a secure cage with a small spacing of bars. If they are not secured, they can escape or get trapped in the bars. You can place one indoors in a 7-foot square enclosure. They will require access to an enclosed outdoor space that is larger for the highly recommended vitamin D.
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5 Squirrel Monkey
Squirrel monkeys can perform acrobatics. They can live up to 25 years old, and use their tails as a way to hang on to branches. They can also be found wearing diapers throughout their lives. They have a variety of dietary needs and need to eat a wide range of foods.
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6 Marmoset
Marmosets, which are similar to tamarins in terms of size and housing needs, are squirrel-like monkeys that hail from South America. Their natural diet includes insects, fruits, tree sap, and small animals. They can be quick and scurrying creatures, which makes them difficult to handle. They are not suitable for pets due to their specific diet and UV light requirements.
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7 Guenon
These monkeys, which weigh in at 10 pounds, are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They can live up to 25 years in captivity. Guenons require a lot of care. There are nearly two dozen species of Guenons. The most common species that are kept as pets are the green monkey and vervet. They are most at home in large groups. You would need to keep several of these animals as pets.
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