Monkeys make for beautiful pets; their intelligent personalities and cute appearance make them irresistibly adorable. However, they can be costly and require significant financial commitment.
Monkeys are commonly sold by private breeders for thousands of dollars upfront and an ongoing expense that often runs hundreds of dollars each month for food, medication, and veterinary care costs.
Purchasing a Monkey
Monkeys make charming pets. Intelligent and entertaining, these monkeys can be taught to do many tricks – yet their care requires significant work and maintenance costs that should be carefully considered before investing in one as a pet.
The initial cost of owning a pet monkey depends heavily on its type. A capuchin will run you approximately $7,000. Larger varieties like chimpanzees can go as high as $70,000! In addition to the initial purchase cost, additional expenses such as food, diapers, and veterinary care must also be considered.
Before purchasing a monkey, potential owners should research its breeder and facilities extensively. Unfortunately, many monkey breeders buy young monkeys from wild locations only to raise them under unsanitary conditions that can lead to health issues for the creatures they breed. Furthermore, some breeders take measures such as taking young ones away from their mothers early enough, potentially causing psychological and emotional trauma for both parties involved.
Whoever would like to own a monkey should also carefully research their state’s legal regulations surrounding keeping one as a pet, as some states prohibit monkeys as pets. In contrast, others have stringent rules regarding ownership. A permit is usually necessary, along with providing enough space in a cage.
After calculating the initial costs of owning a monkey, it’s necessary to assess monthly expenses. The exact figure will depend on its species – more giant apes typically consume more food than miniature monkeys, and maintenance expenses should also be factored into this budget. In addition to food, consideration should also be made for toys and environmental maintenance costs.
Cage
Monkeys are brilliant species that require a vast and durable cage to call home, costing anywhere from $150-500 or more. Monkeys also need various other items like branches, toys, and blankets as part of their home environment and additional whole foods to support their immune system, such as fruits, vegetables, and animal proteins (like insects). Supplementary items typically cost $25-25 weekly.
Depending upon the species of monkey, care requirements will differ accordingly. Marmosets are extremely popular among pet shops and typically cost anywhere from $1,500-$2,000 each; their care may prove costly as they require much attention from humans as they reside as family units in nature.
Pygmy monkeys, on the other hand, are relatively small and have a shorter lifespan – on average only reaching 15 years old. Furthermore, these active little guys need plenty of outdoor space in a secure cage to roam free and play.
Langur monkeys are popular pets. Care for this species can also be costly since these monkeys require a large cage with regular human interaction and interaction between other animals and people for happiness. Like different types of monkeys, these langurs need fruit, veggies, seeds, insects, and chicken worms as food sources; they also require regular vet visits and medications to remain healthy.
Food
Monkeys are generally considered omnivores and need both plant products and animal proteins for sustenance, though their diet tends to focus more heavily on plant material such as fruits and leaves than on animal matter; new world monkey species like capuchins may consume 50-81% fruits while 10% plants. Chimpanzees tend to eat animals or insect parts more regularly compared to capuchins; regardless of species, a monkey should receive a balanced diet high in proteins and complex carbohydrates for maximum health and well-being.
The general rule of thumb suggests that one-third of a monkey’s plate should consist of proteins (lean meats, fish, and tofu are all great options), while two-thirds should consist of complex carbs such as vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, always have water accessible – sipper tube bottles work better than bowls because they allow easier liquid consumption.
Monkeys usually consume food by chewing it before swallowing it, which may put undue strain on their intestines and require them to burp after each meal. To avoid this problem, monkeys should consume smaller meals more frequently.
The lion-tailed macaque is one of the most diverse monkey species. This monkey feeds on leaves, fruit, seeds, berries, insects, small lizards, and birds! Additionally, this creature has the unique ability to adapt quickly to environmental changes. For instance, if its favorite leafy foods become scarcer, it may switch to other plant varieties or prey on eggs/nestlings of frogs that have started leaving its habitat.
Medications
Depending on its species and condition, treatment for monkeys will rely on medication that suits its species or situation. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics may be sufficient, while heart medicine, antiviral agents, and immunosuppressant agents might be more suitable options. Anyone bitten or scratched by a monkey should immediately wash the area affected before consulting their healthcare provider for proper advice.
Monkeys require a varied diet of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, and yogurt – far more costly than the kibble sold as pet monkey food chow. Monthly costs could range between $100 and $1,000, depending on their size.
Medications for monkeys can also be pricey, significantly, if one contracts an illness that requires medication. Finding a veterinarian experienced in treating primates may prove challenging; one visit alone with such a vet may cost hundreds of dollars or even more; additional stays could incur additional charges such as diabetes treatment that add up quickly.
An additional factor when owning a monkey as a pet is cost. These brilliant animals require attention and entertainment, including diapering or potty training, cleaning after them, and feeding. Without this level of care, many monkeys become bored and anxious quickly.
Before purchasing a monkey, thorough research must be conducted first. Monkeys have proven invaluable in many essential studies about human infectious diseases and nerve and mental disorders, as well as for drug development purposes. Furthermore, they serve as models for numerous biochemical and metabolic pathways, which help scientists gain greater insight into how such pathways contribute to human illness.
Training
Many monkeys are brilliant creatures that can be trained to do all sorts of amazing things. From tricks, how to act in specific scenarios, household chores, and responding to voice commands, monkeys make great pets for people with plenty of free time in their schedules who have enough commitment for these intelligent pets – although remember they require complete dedication as they’re like permanent toddlers who could prove fatal without supervision!
Monkeys require specific habitat requirements, which include a cage or enclosure with hiding spaces and areas for climbing. Unfortunately, this makes owning one impractical for most people, mainly if you live in an urban area with high traffic volumes and require special permits or insurance policies to protect it.
Finally, to keep your monkey happy and entertained, you’ll need toys and other accessories such as nesting boxes, ropes, swings, and blankets – although they may need replacing occasionally. Furthermore, monkeys are highly social animals who require constant companionship – if you cannot provide your monkey with this attention, do not purchase one!
Monkeys can be costly pets that require extensive care and attention, costing thousands initially and hundreds each month to maintain. Apes may cost even more; therefore, donating money towards primate conservation may be better than owning one yourself.
