We all love to have our own pets some love dogs, others love cats and others love birds. But have you ever thought of keeping a monkey as a pet? We all think that primates are not a great candidate for pets as they come with high maintenance, and also sometimes they may turn aggressive. But recent times proved that monkeys are intelligent and interesting creatures, and it is really a nice pet. Many people started showing interest in monkeys by keeping them as a pet. Still, few people avoid monkeys as a pet because of the legality, space, and time that a monkey requires. If you are one among them, then this article will recommend you the best monkey for pet that you can keep.
Do monkeys make a good pet?
Yes, monkeys will make a good pet but when compared to other pets it needs a lot of care and space. Initially, it will be difficult to take care of a monkey as it requires an absurd amount of attention. On the other hand, the primitive’s behavior, as will suddenly have a change of heart and also become violent.
When it comes to food, feeding a monkey is expensive and requires a lot of time. Also, they are long-living toddlers and also make things messy easily but that doesn’t make them a bad creature as it is their nature.
So, in final words, you will find a variety of best monkey for pet but remember it requires a lot of patience, money, and time.
8 best monkey for pet:
- Chimpanzee
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Chimpanzee is not a monkey but an ape and they are stronger than a grown man. They will live for 60 years and they come for the rest of your life. But sometimes they can be aggressive and dangerous for pet owners, so in most cases, the pet chimps will end up in medical research facilities.
- Capuchins
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A capuchin or ring-tail monkey is intelligent and lives between 35 to 45 years. This is an outdoor primate and it is easy to care for and also less dangerous. This is the best monkey for pet and they are also used as a service animal.
- Tarsier
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Tarsier is a very popular choice for pets and they are the cleanest animals. They are highly intelligent and when compared to the other pets they make the best pet. They will live up to 15 years of age.
- Macaque
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Macaque is a smaller kind of monkey and they live up to 30 years. They need to wear diapers throughout their entire lifetime. This creature needs a large and secure cage and it won’t easily get lost in the house or climb the electric poles. Even though it is the smallest creature still it needs a larger enclosure.
- Tamarin
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Tamarin is a new world monkey and they live up to 15 years. They need a very secure cage with small bar spacing or else it will escape easily or get stuck in between the bars. Along with this, they will need an outdoor space as it requires Vitamin D for their growth and development.
- Squirrel Monkey
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The squirrel monkey is the smallest kind of monkey and it reaches 10 to 14 inches without a tail. They are incredibly active and it needs a lot of space as it is an acrobatic creature. Also, your house should have a lot of trees as they love to hang by trees and swing across tree branches.
- Marmosets
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This is also the best monkey for pet but marmosets require a lifetime of commitment as it lives between 15 to 20 years. They are social animals so many pet lovers will get attracted to this pet. If it gets emotionally attached they throw tantrums.
- Guenon
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Guenon is also a popular pet as it is easy to control but it is a high-maintenance animal. They are very loud creatures and during the years of their sexual maturity, they will become more aggressive.
Things to know before making a monkey as a pet:
If you are planning to buy or adopt a primate, then there are a few things that you need to know before you finalize your decision on a monkey as a pet.
- Not all the monkeys will make a good pet, there are certain monkeys like chimpanzees which will make the worst household pets so you need a lot of tolerance
- The cost of a monkey is expensive even though a small monkey-like capuchin will cost around $7,000 and a great ape-like chimpanzee will cost around $70,000. And also there are other additional costs like food, veterinarian bills, and others. So, you need to be financially well
- Even though you raise the monkey from birth still there are times that it will become aggressive and may harm you. So, the monkeys need to be well trained to avoid certain risks
- The monkeys are not cuddly creatures and you need to spend a lot of time with them. Also, they require a large amount of space
- Monkeys need a fresh diet and several hours of fresh enrichment, so if they are not properly treated then they will become ill or depressed
Can I legally make a monkey as a pet?
You can make a monkey your pet and it is legal in many countries but few countries make a ban on owning these creatures. In a few countries, they will make ban owning only a few types of monkeys, and in others, the volunteer should be a potential owner and there is some test that they need to pass.
So, if you ask is it legal to make a monkey as a pet, then the answer will be yes but not for all the monkeys. Some monkeys are wild, dangerous, and easily overpower a human power. If you want to have a monkey as a pet then you can consider any monkey from the list of best monkey for pet that is mentioned above.
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