Monkeys are cute. There’s no doubt about it.

However, before you make the commitment, there are some things you need to know. Read on for everything you should learn before making some monkey business your own business.

Some states say absolutely not, whereas other states say it’s OK in certain circumstances. If it’s legal where you live, you’re still required to obtain a permit and show proof of an enclosure big enough that the monkey can live and play.

Some smaller monkeys (such as capuchin) cost around $7,000. A large ape (such as chimpanzees) cost around $70,000.

Monkeys usually live anywhere from 20 to 40 years. Yes.

They love their fellow monkeys and thrive being around them. Studies show that isolating monkeys from their social group of monkeys creates many social and behavioral problems that can’t be reversed.

They don’t like being left alone. If they don’t get adequate attention, they tend to scream loudly and bite whoever is in reach (and most monkeys have 32 teeth).

Some monkeys also enjoy eating small creatures, including spiders, insects and lizards. Monkeys’ specialized diets can be very time-consuming and expensive.

Once the monkey has diabetes, this requires near-constant monitoring by a veterinarian. Just like people, each monkey has his or her own unique personality.

However, even the sweetest baby monkeys grow up to become wild animals. Just because you raise a monkey from the time he or she was a baby doesn’t mean it will lose its wild nature.

Even the sweetest monkeys are unpredictable and can become aggressive at any point, even with their owner. No.

They typically need much more space than a traditional house can offer. Plus, monkeys are curious creatures who get into everything.

In addition, monkeys can be very vocal, with many of them making such loud sounds that they can be heard miles away. Neighbors generally won’t appreciate this.

Most monkeys cannot be effectively toilet trained. Sometimes, younger monkeys can be partially potty trained, but they lose that ability as they mature.

Because of this, pet monkeys have to wear diapers throughout their lives. Monkeys need a lot of room to move around and play.

If they’re not in the wild, then they need a secure enclosure that is huge and expensive. Certain states require certain types of enclosures in order to obtain a permit to have a pet monkey.

Monkeys must have a variety of new toys and exercise equipment to keep them entertained and challenged. Otherwise, they get bored, and that’s when they start acting out (throwing things and biting people).

Monkeys can easily have diseases that are very dangerous to humans — and vice versa. This is why most zoo professionals wear special garments (to protect against diseases) when dealing with monkeys.

There are a few documented cases where a monkey is well-trained and lives out its entire life with humans without causing harm. However, in the vast majority of cases, the risk to both the humans and the monkey is too high.

They never grow up and mature like human children do. In essence, they are essentially permanent toddlers who require constant attention and care throughout their entire lives.

Monkeys usually live their best lives in rainforests, savannahs, mountainous terrains and treetops. So, instead of getting a pet monkey, pet experts recommend that you support primate sanctuaries where monkeys live free, wild, natural lives.

Capuchin monkeys are energetic animals that require enrichment and an active lifestyle—often, when raised by humans, they rarely get enough stimulation. They may be adorable as babies, but as they get older, capuchin monkeys can get bored easily, which can lead to increasingly destructive behaviors.

Here’s everything to know about capuchin monkeys and why they should stay in the wild and out of homes.

Scientific name: Cebinae. Adult Size: 13 to 22 inches.

Lifespan: 15 to 25 years in the wild. There are many factors to think about before bringing home a capuchin monkey, including legality and ethical concerns.

Currently, it is legal to own a pet capuchin monkey in North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Indiana, Arkansas, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. The laws change all the time, and if you are considering getting a pet capuchin monkey, thoroughly research both your state and local laws.

Capuchin monkeys are often surrendered as pets because they have needs most humans don’t have the skills or time to fill, making it more than likely that owning one is—in most instances—unethical. However, there are always exceptions, and if you are an owner who is enthusiastic about giving your pet capuchin monkey everything it needs to thrive, it may very well be happy in your home.

Capuchin monkeys are wild animals and really shouldn’t be kept as pets. Unless you have ample space for exercise and are committed to keeping and caring for them for their entire life, which could be up to 40 years in captivity, you should consider a different pet.

Capuchins—considered the smartest of the New World monkeys—are diurnal (active during the day), social, and territorial. They spend most of their waking hours searching for food, urinating to mark their territory, and hanging out in trees.

Captive capuchin monkeys are charming as babies and need to be cared for similarly as a human baby would. Capuchin babies can form a tight bond with their human mother or father, may need to be bottle-fed for some time (if not forever), and will need to be trained to be a part of the family.

Once they reach age five, capuchin monkeys become much harder to handle. A bored monkey may display aggression, biting its owner or someone else to get attention or garner interest.

Aggressive behavior is typical in capuchin monkeys and can sometimes occur without prior tendencies. Most capuchin monkey owners use diapers for the monkey’s entire life and keep them on leashes in and out of the house for both the safety of the monkey and the public.

Capuchin monkeys were trained as service animals until 2010 when the American Disabilities Act deemed them a danger to both owners and the public due to disease transmission and aggression. Because of this, the American Veterinary Medical Association discourages the use of primates in service, making it difficult to find an exotic vet to treat pet capuchins.

In the wild, capuchins swing from tree to tree, something that most home enclosures don’t permit. The lack of natural habitat in a home setting raises controversy regarding keeping these monkeys at all.

That said, the bigger the enclosure, the better. If you do decide to house a capuchin monkey, make sure it has plenty of trees to swing and jump from, provide a shaded area for shelter from the elements, and be sure it’s monkey-proofed.

In the wild, capuchin monkeys eat bugs, fruit, small birds, nuts, and flowers. Mimicking this monkey’s natural diet in captivity can be somewhat tricky.

You can also supplement their diet with baby food, fruits, and vegetables. A varied diet keeps a monkey interested, especially if you hide it and they have to search for it.

Capuchins also thrive with the occasional cooked meat treat (about 1 teaspoon), but never give them table food, dairy products, or sweets, as this is not part of their natural diet and can lead to health problems.

Many pet capuchins develop diabetes due to improper nutrition. Like humans, your pet monkey should have regular blood screenings to monitor glucose and cholesterol levels closely.

Capuchins can suffer metabolic bone disease, especially when taken from their mother so young and due to a lack of adequate replacement nutrition. If you purchase a capuchin, check with your veterinarian for diet recommendations to avoid this life-threatening illness.

Capuchins, like other primates, can transmit certain diseases to humans, the most notable being hepatitis and rabies. Monkeys are also natural hosts of herpes B (or monkey B) virus, which can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in people.

Capuchin monkeys will need lots of physical—and mental—stimulation to thrive. They do not do well in small enclosures and will need ample space where they can run around, climb in trees, and explore their territory.

Grooming your capuchin monkey can be a great opportunity for bonding and attention—in the wild, the monkeys will groom each other as a sign of affection and respect, so similar feelings can be fostered through owner-to-monkey grooming.

Rinse soap thoroughly, then dry your capuchin with a soft towel or hair dryer set to low heat.

They are incredibly smart but also have their own ideas for how they want to learn (or not learn things), making it difficult to train them properly. It is recommended that you seek out a kind and patient trainer skilled in primates to help you with your capuchin.

When it comes to owning a capuchin monkey, there are many aspects to consider before committing to primate ownership. Capuchin monkeys are charming and adorable creatures, but unless you’re extremely well-versed in primate care, owning one may be more difficult (and potentially dangerous) than it is enjoyable.

Capuchin monkeys can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000. When purchasing a capuchin monkey, you need to find a reputable breeder, but even this can be a dilemma.

In the wild, capuchins usually stay with their mother for the first several years of their life.

Ask to see the license or, if over the phone, ask for their federal number and look them up for validation. Try to buy directly from a breeder rather than going through a broker.

You should feel comfortable asking a lot of questions about the animal, including its current care schedule and the breeder’s assessment of the monkey’s temperament. Additionally, you should ask around for referrals from people who have used the same breeder.

The illegal exotic animal trade is a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide. Scams abound online and offline, and it can be practically impossible to get your money back.

Jungle Friends is a sponsorship service for monkeys released from research labs. A year-long donation provides food, housing, and enrichment opportunities for the monkey of your choice, granting you a certificate of sponsorship, a photo, and access to a video link of the monkeys in their natural sanctuary.

Due to various environmental and social needs, pet capuchin monkeys are very difficult to care for. In their infancy (up to age five), they are considered more tame and easy to care for, but they will quickly become a handful and are not a suitable choice for pet owners who do not have previous primate experience.

Capuchin monkeys will thrive in a jungle or sanctuary environment where they are free to explore and play. Additionally, monkeys are social creatures and will benefit from being surrounded by a large “family” of other primates like themselves.

Exotic pets are popular and controversial. Experts warn against keeping any type of wild animal as a pet, but with no federal restrictions, many states allow it.

As the name implies, these adorable animals are true monkeys. They’re the smallest species of monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world.

Like other marmosets, they live high in the treetops of South American rainforests. All marmosets are relatively small, but the pygmy grows no longer than 4.6 to 6.2 inches, not including its tail, which can measure between 6.9 and 9 inches.

Baby pygmy marmosets are tiny enough to cling to your finger, much like other monkeys cling to tree branches. hence the nickname.

Although not considered an endangered species, finger monkeys do face habitat destruction. Their adaptability to new environments may keep them off the endangered list.

The groups range from as few as two to as many as nine or ten individuals. Females can give birth twice a year and normally produce twins each time, although single or triple births do occur.

While the species tends to be monogamous, groups may feature an additional male for assistance in newborn care. Juvenile finger monkeys also contribute to the care of babies.

In captivity, that range spikes to 15-22 years. Research suggests as few as one-fourth of all babies born in the wild make it to maturity, with most succumbing to falls from trees or from the group member who is carrying them.

These allow them to support themselves vertically on trees while using their long, narrow teeth to feed on sap. Finger monkeys also consume the resin, gum, and vines of trees.

They can rotate their heads up to 180 degrees to scan for danger and leap up to 16 feet to escape it. Their natural predators include snakes, cats, and raptors.

Finger monkeys are active during the day, rising just after dawn unless the day is cloudy or rainy. They spend their time feeding, foraging, grooming, and playing.

The roost is normally a bundle of vines but sometimes is made up of tree holes. Now that you have some background on finger monkeys, what should you consider when deciding whether to get one as a pet.

More than half of all states and the District of Columbia outright prohibit the private ownership of monkeys or allow it only with a specific license, permit or exemption issued by the government of the state, county, or municipality. These tiny marmosets gained popularity as pets in the United States due to their diminutive size and cute faces.

As mentioned above, they use their long teeth to bore into tree bark for food. This makes their bite painful, although not generally dangerous, especially to children and other pets.

As with other monkeys, they’re known to throw their feces when they get angry. These are intelligent animals and their first couple years of life leave a major imprint.

Replicating a finger monkey’s natural habitat in captivity is essential. A large cage featuring trees, vines, water, and swings allows them to jump, climb and play as they would in the wild.

Some breeders will include a “starter” cage kit when you purchase a finger monkey. Provide for their diet through access to trees, fruit, vegetables, and insects.

You should buy or adopt finger monkeys in pairs, at a minimum. Even ample human companionship is not enough to keep these social animals mentally fit.

They are also susceptible to human diseases including colds, chicken pox and HIV. Get a guarantee from the breeder that your monkeys are healthy.

A general vet cannot properly treat these animals. The initial investment in a single finger monkey, including the necessary cage and supplies, is between $1,500 and $8,000.

It’s not an undertaking you should enter into lightly. updated 6/22/2023.

Monkeys are very diverse, intelligent, and interesting creatures, so it should be no small wonder that people like to keep them as pets. We’ve seen real and fictional people keep them as pets, like Michael Jackson or Ross from Friends.

In fact, the majority of people cannot own a monkey for numerous reasons including legality and the amount of space and care a monkey requires. Nevertheless, we want to look at the nine most popular types of monkeys that people keep as pets to show you why certain breeds make the best companions.

Monkeys are curious animals that have many unique needs, so they are difficult pets to own. ©Gabi Siebenhuehner/Shutterstock.com.

Before we look at this more deeply, we have to consider what makes an animal a good pet. Generally, humans prefer companionship, obedience, and low maintenance as key qualities in their pets.

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.

A pet monkey could attack its owner, and some species are remarkably more dangerous than others, like chimpanzees. Monkey owners need to provide them with a lot of space and a unique diet that varies from species to species.

That means they often need diapers. Interestingly, a monkey’s need for diapers helps us draw a parallel to tell you what kind of creature you’re dealing with: monkeys are long-lived toddlers.

That doesn’t make them bad animals. it’s just in their nature.

Chimpanzees can cost over $50,000. ©iStock.com/Suthat_Chaitaweesap.

That is a fair amount of investment that immediately disqualifies a lot of the population from having such a pet. You must also factor in other costs to this equation, too.

You cannot expect your monkey to climb around your apartment in the middle of a busy city. A monkey would never thrive in that environment.

They’re loud, very smart, and sometimes mischievous creatures that need specific foods, temperate climates, hiding areas, and areas to climb. Putting together a habitat for a monkey to live in will cost several thousand dollars more, especially if you opt for some of the bigger monkey species.

You’ll also need special care guides for the breed, legal paperwork in many cases, and access to a specialty veterinarian that can handle exotic pet examinations. In short, the total costs for a monkey can easily reach over $20,000, and that number will climb a great deal if you opt for a rare or large breed.

The initial costs are significant, but the upkeep costs are also high. Just to recap, the costs of owning a monkey include:

If you plan to own a monkey as a pet, then you must prepare for each of these costs.

orangutan. is illegal.

Monkeys are legal to own in 31 states in the United States, but some countries have an outright ban on the practice while others, like the UK, are moving toward a ban on owning these creatures. Even the states that do not have an outright ban on owning pet monkeys might have a partial ban, though.

The short answer to this question is that you can own a monkey as a pet in many places, but not all monkeys are legal. For example, Indonesia has banned the trade of orangutans around the world to protect the species.

You have to be aware of local and international laws before obtaining a monkey to live as your pet. Most people who own monkeys own one of these nine monkey breeds.

Generally speaking, there are nine common monkey breeds that people keep as pets. To be clear, the legality of owning these monkeys is dubious in some cases because of international rules on exotic pet trading and ownership.

Needless to say, owning an illegal pet is asking for trouble and contributes to the ongoing loss of these animals throughout the world. Here are the nine monkey breeds that people keep as pets around the world.

©Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock.com.

They are iconic monkeys because of their large, curious-looking eyes, and the appearance that they are hugging branches rather than hanging from them. Although some people have kept this endangered monkey as a pet, it’s illegal to trade them these days.

For one thing, these monkeys require a special diet that most people cannot provide. Moreover, they are nocturnal creatures, so they do very little during the day, and that makes people discard them as pets because they’re not “interesting.”.

Tarsiers live for up to 20 years, meaning they are a serious time investment, too. Tamarins are known for being cleaner than the average monkey.

Tamarins are a good deal larger than the tarsier, reaching weights of 32 ounces and lengths up to 12 inches. They are a very popular choice for pets because they are clean animals that will not use their entire enclosure as a bathroom, preferring to use a single corner.

They’re not strong enough to harm a human being, but they are noisy and tend to be destructive when bored. It’s important to remember that these are social creatures, so keeping a single monkey as a pet would be depriving them of their basic drive to interact with others.

A chimpanzee might be cute when it’s young, but it’s a dangerous, aggressive animal. ©Afandi Teguh Afriyanto/Shutterstock.com.

they are great apes. Yet, they are creatures that people often wish to keep as pets.

Chimpanzees regularly weigh over 150 pounds, stand over 5 feet tall, and are incredibly powerful compared to human beings. They are highly territorial and take some somewhat normal human behaviors as insults.

They will savagely attack those that they feel have wronged them, and humans are powerless to stop an aggressive chimp.

That was an extraordinary case and far from the reality that would come with owning a chimpanzee. Aside from the outright danger of owning one of these pets, we must also consider that they have a human-like lifespan of 50-60 years.

Chimpanzees are probably the worst pets that you could own, even if you managed to somehow get permission to own one. The.

monkey is one of the smallest and most curious monkey breeds. ©Ludmila Ruzickova/Shutterstock.com.

Like most other primates, they require a lot of attention and care if you want to keep them healthy. These creatures are very intelligent, require a diverse diet, and need constant stimulation and entertainment from their owners.

They will screech loudly when they need attention, and they have a habit of throwing their feces when upset. There is also the troublesome behavior where they spread urine on their hands and feet to leave a scent trail, and that can be a potent smell in your home.

Macaques have a human-like face that makes them expressive and interesting. ©bryan… / Flickr.

They are fascinating creatures with faces that somewhat resemble human beings. The expressiveness of the monkey combined with its hearty natu.

Skip carousel items How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

Skip carousel items How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

Skip carousel items How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

How to Make an Effective Public Comment September 21, 2023 ToolkitUnited StatesJenny Shalant Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

Whether you’re ready to submit a written comment or state your case at a hearing, these talking points, scripting guidelines, and other tips will help you make the most of your airtime.

From Dams to DAPL, the Army Corps’ Culture of Disdain for Indigenous Communities Must End September 13, 2023 PerspectivesUnited States, MidwestTroy Pretends Eagle The prophesied “Seventh Generation” is here—demanding justice for tribes and protecting what they have left.

From Dams to DAPL, the Army Corps’ Culture of Disdain for Indigenous Communities Must End September 13, 2023 PerspectivesUnited States, MidwestTroy Pretends Eagle The prophesied “Seventh Generation” is here—demanding justice for tribes and protecting what they have left.

The prophesied “Seventh Generation” is here—demanding justice for tribes and protecting what they have left.

A Trailblazer for Tribal Sovereignty August 16, 2023 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesJeff Turrentine NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

A Trailblazer for Tribal Sovereignty August 16, 2023 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesJeff Turrentine NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

Everything from lifestyle to the general impact of being separated from their mothers — all of these factors can have a devastating impact on a pet monkey’s physical and mental well-being. “Monkeys kept as pets are, generally speaking, removed from their mothers before they are weaned — creating the potential for lifelong emotional and physical consequences,” says Tyson.

Advertisement. These abnormalities are also referred to as “stereotypies” which Tyson describes as “purposeless, repetitive behaviors such as rocking, pacing and self-harming.” Stereotypies are markers of mental distress that appear only in captive wild animals.

Fights and injuries can sadly occur between the former pet and members of its own species.

Years later, the monkey still struggles to acclimate to zoo life and even speak its native Capuchin language. Advertisement.

Adam Kordes wants his monkey returned to him.

The reason, according to a search warrant: A veterinarian in Florida had seen videos of Neo, believed the monkey had ingested Xanax and/or cocaine, and was “in dire need of veterinary care.”. What is Ohio’s exotic-animal law.

Without care, the search warrant said, Neo could die. On Feb.

A spokesman for Cincinnati Animal Care, the organization that provides animal control services to the county, confirmed that its deputies (known as dog wardens) carry guns in the field. He declined to comment about the case.

He was involved in a serious vehicle crash in 2017 that killed a passenger and led to vehicular homicide charges, Those charges were dismissed, according to Rabanus, because Kordes can’t recall the crash and was deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. He is still receiving medical care for his injuries, she said.

Why are we seeing more strays, cruelty.

7, Kordes has been on a legal odyssey that culminated Thursday when a Hamilton County grand jury indicted him on a charge of cruelty to companion animals, a low-level felony punishable by up to a year in jail. Court documents say the monkey’s urine tested positive for amphetamines.

She also said Neo is now in Florida. Why.

“That’s one of many questions I have,” Rabanus said.

Neo, she said, is his “emotional support animal.” A hearing is set for May 12 in Common Pleas Court. A criminal case involving a captive monkey worth between $15,000 and $20,000 may be unprecedented in Hamilton County.

Also involved in the case is woman who runs what she describes as a monkey rescue shelter in Clermont County. Teresa Bullock, of Misfitland Monkey Rescue in Moscow, knows Kordes and went to his apartment Feb.

Rabanus said Kordes bought Neo in August 2021. Vipers and adders and cobras, oh my.

Bullock told The Enquirer that Kordes sent her text messages, saying Neo had gotten into chocolate, wasn’t “moving right” and was crying. Kordes told her he also contacted a veterinarian who said to give Neo hydrogen peroxide, to make Neo vomit.

Kordes later got back to her, saying Neo had stopped crying. According to Bullock, Kordes said she was still welcome to stop by, but he now believed Neo would be OK.

Bullock went to Kordes’ apartment, anyway, armed with a syringe filled with charcoal to help clear out the monkey’s system. She told The Enquirer she suspected Kordes had given Neo “something.”.

Zoo news:Cincinnati Zoo adding new habitats for black bears and sea otters. Bullock also was concerned because Kordes had owned a capuchin monkey that died shortly before he got Neo.

Bullock provided videos of Neo, apparently shot on Feb. 6, to her friend, the veterinarian in Florida, Jodi Thannum.

7, Thannum called Cincinnati Animal Care, according to the search warrant, saying Kordes had a monkey “that was being given narcotics, such as adult amounts of Xanax and/or cocain(e),” and warned that the monkey could die. Two weeks after Kordes house was searched, he was charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals.

Then on March 3, Cincinnati Animal Care sought a second search warrant to seize any narcotics, including amphetamines from Kordes apartment. It was searched the next day, and he was arrested because a shotgun was found in the home (it had belonged to his grandfather, Rabanus said, and Kordes didn’t even know it was in the apartment).

The gun and Kordes’ prescriptions were seized, and prosecutors sought to charge him with felony cruelty to companion animals. But a grand jury ignored that charge on March 11.

A few days after the grand jury decided not to charge him, Rabanus asked a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge to order Neo to be “returned immediately” to Kordes. That request was denied, although Rabanus says there were many legal problems with the seizure of Neo, including that Cincinnati Animal Care didn’t hold a hearing before a judge to determine if there was enough evidence for the seizure.

No monkeys found in Cincinnati after multiple 911 calls overnight. That law exists, she said, to provide safe measures for the care and keeping of an animal, if it isn’t returned to the owner.

Prosecutors again brought the case before a grand jury, which indicted Kordes Thursday on the felony charge of cruelty to companion animals. He is free on a personal recognizance bond.

Taking on a pet monkey is not like caring for most other pets. A well-cared-for monkey can generally live to be anywhere from 20 to 40 years old, and it will need your full commitment throughout its entire life.

We break down the challenges that come with keeping a pet monkey, including behavioral, medical, and legal issues you may encounter.

They are, in essence, permanent toddlers. Pet monkeys also might not take well to new people in your life, including spouses and children, and they make it hard to get away for vacations.

Furthermore, a monkey needs a large amount of social interaction. A pet monkey deprived of your time and attention will likely develop not only severe behavioral problems, such as screaming and biting but also psychological issues that can be difficult to remedy.

Primates, such as monkeys, might be illegal to keep as pets where you live. And if a monkey is legal to own, permits still might be required.

Moreover, homeowner policies might require additional liability coverage, or some insurance companies might cancel your policy altogether if they find out you have a monkey. However, not having insurance puts you at risk if your monkey bites someone.

A wide range of diseases can be passed between monkeys and humans. (These are called zoonotic diseases and can be quite serious.) But finding a veterinarian near you who is able and willing to treat a primate can be challenging.

In addition, it can be difficult to keep a captive monkey healthy. For instance, monkeys often require specialized diets that can be expensive and time-consuming to prepare.

This is just one disease that requires constant monitoring by you and your vet.

Raising a monkey around humans won’t change its wild nature, and pet monkeys will never truly become domesticated. In fact, depriving a pet monkey of normal social relationships with other monkeys can create behavioral problems and neuroses.

Pet monkeys often have a tendency to bite (and they have 32 teeth to deliver these nasty bites). While some monkeys are gentle, some are very aggressive.

Monkeys need a large, secure enclosure, which can be expensive to construct. They should spend time outdoors if possible.

Some states require certain types of enclosures to fulfill permit regulations, but you should always have a place to secure your monkey to keep it and the public safe.

Most can’t be effectively toilet trained. Many young monkeys can be diapered or at least partly toilet trained, but that ability is often lost at maturity.

Aside from the toileting messes, pet monkeys also can be extremely mischievous and destructive, especially when they’re bored.

Yes, some can be quite sweet for a time. But the reality is monkeys are capable of causing too much harm and need too much care and attention to thrive in a human household.

In short, non-human primates and human beings make poor housemates.

OWNING a monkey is not as straightforward as you might imagine and can require a lot time and money to maintain. TikTok star Georgie Boy touched the hearts of millions of American with his adorable antics but his sudden death has prompted many to ponder on buying their own primate pal.

Monkeys are not domesticated animals so they can be dangerous and cause serious damage to your property. If you do, then expect to pay between $4,000 and $8,000 per monkey, however the cost will depend on its age, rarity and temperament.

And that’s not including the costs of buying cages, a welcoming and calm habitat, food, veterinary bills and diapers. Ready-made indoor cages are priced between $650 to $900.

Outdoor cages, however, will set you back between $1,300 to $3,500. When you purchase a monkey cage, you’ll also need a nesting box, branches, blankets and toys, which can cost anywhere between $100 and $200.

Fruits, vegetables, insects and treats will cost about $25 per week. There’s also supplemental whole foods consisting of commercially made monkey chow.

Many owners choose to diaper their pet because they are difficult to toilet train. You can purchase a three to four month supply of diapers for around $65.

Yes, but it depends which state you live in. There is no federal law governing the ownership of exotic animals like monkeys, however, certain states and local legislatures have outlawed the practice.

Some states such as Texas and Florida, require you to hold a permit. Many of the states that allow them as pets have lengthy application processes and expensive bonding requirements.

For example, Florida requires an applicant to be at least 16 to own some monkeys and 18 for others and have at least 1,000 hours of volunteer work experience. If you do buy one, it’s advised you see pictures of them first before collecting them.

There are several websites you can browse to find your ideal primate, including Primate Store, Pets4You and Poggi’s Animal House. Some primate species can live anywhere between 20 and 40 years.

Primates are highly social animals – keeping them alone could be deemed inhumane.

If you’re still unsure whether a pet monkey is right for you, check out information on the Jane Goodall Institute UK, the Primate Rescue Center and the National Geographic.

Most people will have seen at least one headline over the last couple of years describing animal attacks on humans. This needn’t include the elephant from a Zimbabwe National Park that trampled a tourist or the Sumatran tiger that killed a keeper who entered his zoo enclosure in Birmingham.

The pet, bottle fed from birth, having grown up in someone’s home like a child, suddenly “snaps” and causes major harm to a human family member, to the shock of both the public and the press. More often than not, these incidents involve pet primates – monkeys and apes – that have been purchased as one would any dog or cat.

Primates are a diverse group of over 250 species that live across five continents but are most commonly found in the tropics, from Uruguay to Uganda and Venezuela to Vietnam. They are wild, and attempts to domesticate them result in a mentally disturbed animal that no amount of training, beating or adoring will ever reverse.

In response to this growing problem, the Labour Party has recently announced it would make training or keeping primates in homes illegal. It’s a wonder that a political party even has to take this stance, although the debate is not a new one.

Matching the living conditions of a wild primate is impossible in the UK. Primates need nutrition, light, temperature and humidity that are consistent with the tropics not British households.

Some primates, like the chimpanzee, are used to roaming across areas of up to 100 square kilometres in the wild. Even the very smallest species, like the common marmoset, have evolved to range across thousands of square metres.

Like humans, primates are social creatures. But most people only want a single monkey for a pet, not an entire troop.

We know from early experimental work that isolating these animals from their group causes profound social problems. In most cases, normal social behaviour can’t be recovered in pets that are later released.

The health and safety of the human owner is also at risk in these situations. Most new infectious diseases that scientists discover are zoonotic, which means they’re transmitted from wildlife to humans.

The most common of these is Ebola, the haemorrhagic fever that periodically rears its hideous head and spreads rapidly throughout central Africa and beyond, even recently reaching the UK. You only have to read up on the current Ebola outbreak and especially the early symptoms to want to keep your distance from any wildlife that might harbour it.

Then there are the unprovoked attacks. It’s tempting to think that loyalty trumps instinct and any primate raised with the love and devotion of a caretaker would reciprocate those sentiments in later life.

Pet owners underestimate the influence of millions of years of evolution. Adolescence, male aggression and female competition are natural and ingrained tendencies of wild animals that no amount of living with humans can erase.

Read more: Stop portraying wild animals as cuddly companions (and potential pets). Despite the good intentions of many pet owners, it’s nothing short of cruel to imprison primates in homes that are simply unfit for their living in nearly every regard.

Some will argue that outlawing the ownership of pet primates will only drive the industry underground, immunising it from the rules that currently govern acceptable conditions. But this logic could apply to any illegal behaviour, from kidnapping to owning guns.

The world’s remaining wild primates face extinction wherever they live naturally. Those who love primates enough to want to own them can support them by any number of more ethical and safe options, from supporting conservation work in the wild to volunteering at zoos and sanctuaries.

Educating people is what will protect these animals and also the humans that care about them. We still have an enormous amount to learn about our closest relatives.

There are a wide variety of animals that people keep as pets. While most people stick to the more traditional options such as dogs and cats, some people prefer more exotic pets.

In the United States, the ownership of a pet monkey is regulated by state law. Some states have laws that ban the ownership of monkeys entirely, while others have laws that place restrictions on who can own a monkey and what type of monkey can be owned.

To help you get started, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the states where it is legal to own a pet monkey. People may want to own a pet monkey for many reasons.

Monkeys can also provide comfort, companionship, and entertainment. With their playful and sometimes mischievous demeanor, monkeys can bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Depending on where you live, owning a pet monkey may be illegal or may be subject to certain restrictions. In general, pet monkeys are legal in certain states in the United States.

In these states, pet monkey owners must comply with state laws that regulate their heating and habitat conditions, as well as laws governing the transportation and treatment of primates in captivity. There are many species of pet primates, and not all of them are suitable as pets.

The most popular species of pet monkeys are capuchins, marmosets and tamarins. They require a great deal of care and attention, as well as specialized housing and food.

Owning a pet monkey is a big responsibility and requires a solid commitment. Monkeys require significant care and attention, and you must be able to provide a safe and healthy environment for your pet.

You can find more information on primate diet here. You will also need to provide enrichment activities for your pet, such as foraging and climbing, as well as access to toys, such as ropes and balls.

Additionally, you will need to provide a habitat that meets your monkey’s needs, as well as any necessary vaccinations and vet visits. Ultimately, owning a pet monkey requires a great deal of time and effort.

Owning a pet monkey definitely requires a lot of research, understanding of state laws, and commitment. With the right information and dedication, owning a pet monkey can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

The information provided here will help you make an informed decision if owning a pet monkey is right for you. If you are considering a squirrel monkey you can check out Ollie The Monkey on Youtube.