Monkeys are very cute, but they can also get quite big and they need a large space. For some reason, many people have this misconception that monkeys only grow to the size of a grown dog or maybe a teenager, but this is not actually true, and you would be surprised by how big your pet monkey can get and how quickly, too.
Let’s answer the first question first: How big can a monkey get?
The largest pet monkey people keep is a Chimp which can stand nearly 5 feet tall (1.5 m) and weigh more than 150 pounds (68 kg). Chimps will reach their adult weight and height in just 5 years, by which time they are as tall as the average woman and stronger than the average adult man.
This means you will basically live with a pet the size of an adult human in the house, which is just not easy. Thankfully, most monkeys are smaller than that, but even with small monkeys, things can be very tricky.
To understand which monkey breed will fit in the space you have and how to choose correctly, keep on reading.
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How big can a monkey get?
Chimpanzees are the largest monkeys out there, although they are technically apes not primates. Chimps can grow up to taller than 5 feet and thanks to their muscular build, they can weigh more than 150 pounds, and they can reach this size by the age of 5.
By that Age, a chimp is already stronger than an average, fully-grown adult human male.
Chimps can live even more than 60 years if they are well taken care of in captivity. But beware, Chimps are aggressive and hostile, and they have previously maimed and killed people, so they should never be kept as pets.
Chimps are also quite expensive. In fact, some pet chimps are sold for more than $60,000. They are also very expensive to are for. They need a large space, a lot of food, and their vet bills are going to be many times as that of your dog or cat.
That is if you could find a vet that is willing to work with chimps, as most vets will not either because it’s too much of a hassle because their clinics or offices are not equipped for it, or because of the danger, the chimp can pose to the other animals they are working with and the staff themselves.
In short, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars every year to care for your pet chimp. You can learn about every cost of owning one in my guide to the costs of owning a pet monkey with a breakdown of every dollar you will spend here.
Now that you know about the largest pet monkey you can get, let’s look at the other end of the spectrum; what is the smallest monkey you can get as a pet?
What is the smallest pet monkey you can get?
The smallest pet monkey you can get is the marmoset. The Pygmy marmoset (sometimes called the finger monkey) is a tiny South American monkey that weighs approximately 100 grams and is endemic to the western Amazon basin’s rainforests.
Baby marmosets start at $4,500 each and are becoming increasingly popular among the rich.
The tiny pygmy marmoset’s small size and natural tendency to grab onto fingers instead of their mothers, which happens when they are sold as pets, has earned it the moniker “finger monkey.”
Marmosets are lovely pets, but they are pricey and demanding to maintain. To remain healthy, they need a particular diet and access to sunshine.
In the United States, finger monkeys are permissible as pets in a few jurisdictions where it is lawful to have pet monkeys.
Here are the states where it’s legal to have a pet monkey:
- Montana
- Nevada
- West Virginia
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Ohio
- Washington State
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Arkansas
- Alabama
You can learn about the legal requirements for owning a pet monkey in every state here.
How much space do you need for a Pet Monkey?
You need a lot of space for a pet monkey as they need to climb, play, and move around freely in their space in order to stay healthy and sane.
In certain states, you must meet particular enclosure requirements in order to acquire a permit to keep a monkey as a pet. Monkeys never truly adapt well to life inside an enclosure of any size, so the majority of these enclosures need to be at least 30 square feet, and preferably more.
Is a pet Monkey high maintenance?
Yes, pet monkeys are high maintenance. They need a lot of space, require special equipment and food, and they are expensive.
Pet monkey owners can expect to pay thousands of dollars per year for their pet’s needs. Monkeys are also social animals, so they need to interact with other monkeys in order for them to be healthy and happy.
Do any monkeys make good pets?
Monkeys, on the whole, are not ideal pets. Yes, some can be very endearing for a time.
However, monkeys have the potential to cause a lot of damage and require a great deal of care and attention in order to properly operate in a human home. These concerns are just as essential when it comes to apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans) as well.
Monkeys are not housebroken nor do they have an innate sense of how to interact with humans so you will need to teach them how to act around people and how to use the bathroom outside instead of inside their enclosure. Many monkey owners opt for diapers when it comes time for potty training.
Monkeys can also be quite dangerous and bite or scratch their owners in order to get the attention they seek, so it is important that you understand how to properly interact with them before bringing one home.
Helpful Resources
Why Monkeys Don’t Belong in Your Living Room
Suitable environment for primates
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