There is a boom in the popularity of monkeys as pets in the world right now, and it’s not that difficult to see why.
Monkeys are intelligent and curious creatures, and they can be trained to do complex and entertaining tricks that no dog or cat can do.
Monkeys can be a handful though; they need constant attention and care, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. If you’re thinking about getting a monkey as pet, the first thing you will look at is what types of pet monkeys are out there and which one you should get.
Let’s answer the first question;
What are the most popular pet monkeys?
The most popular pet monkeys include:
- Marmosets
- Capuchins
- Macaques
- Tamarins
- Guenons
- Chimpanzees
- Squirrel Monkeys
- Spider Monkeys
- Saki Monkeys
- Titi Monkeys
- Gibbons
- Vervet Monkeys
There are more monkey breeds as pets, of course, but they are quite rare and very difficult to get your hands on. Getting a pet monkey, in general, is not easy, and taking care of one is even more difficult.
We’re going to discuss what it’s like to have a pet monkey, but for now, let’s start with quickly discussing each of these breeds and what makes them special to help you decide which one you should get.
Contents
The Most popular pet monkeys
You will find that most of these monkeys are small monkeys, and that’s for a good reason; smaller monkeys make for good pets. Still, some larger monkeys like Chimps can be pets if you are willing to put in the effort and time needed to train them to live safely in your house.
Marmosets
Weight: 3.5 Oz
Height: 7.4 in
Life Expectancy: 12 years
Cost: $2,500 on average
Marmosets are a small New World monkey species. Their small size makes them the smallest pet monkey you can get, and probably the cutest as well.
They weigh around 300 to 500 grams and are only 14 to 19 inches tall. They have a long, lean tail that nearly doubles their height, however.
The White-tufted Ear Marmoset (often misspelled Cotton-eared Marmoset or White-tufted Ear Marmoset) is a small primate native to northern South America. They have white ear tufts and a distinctively white forehead, which has given them their name.
Gum, saps, fruits, flowers, and little insects and animals are among their food. They’re also quite friendly to keep as pets because to their disposition and size.
They’re tiny, speedy rodents that aren’t appropriate for carrying. Because of their specific food and UV light requirements, they are generally not good as pets.
Capuchins
Weight: 3-9 pounds
Height: 13-22 inches
Life Expectancy: 15-25 years
Cost: $6,000 on average
The capuchin is a New World monkey that has frequently been depicted on television and in movies as the hat-and-vest-wearing performer who collects money from street performances.
Black and white colugos (typically live to be 40 years old) are mischievous, intelligent, and territorial. Despite their brains, they never learn to use the toilet and require diapers for the rest of their lives.
Macaques
Weight: 12-40 lbs
Height: 16-28 in
Life Expectancy: 15-25 years
Cost: $4,000-$8,000
Monkeys are small monkeys with a big impact. A macaque’s average lifespan is 20 years, although they can live up to 60 years in captivity. They have very inquisitive minds and require large enclosures of at least 30 square feet for one individual.
The Japanese macaque is a carrier of the herpes virus, which can cause fatal encephalitis in people. A bite transfers the virus to humans, so keep this in mind. You can also learn why do monkeys bite humans here.
Tamarins
Weight: 15.55-15.9 oz
Height: 9-10 in
Life Expectancy: 7-9 years
Cost: $1,500-$3,000
The tamarins are small monkeys that may be kept as pets. They weigh less than a pound and live for 15 years or more. A tamarin will require only about 7 square feet of living space, yet they will still need significant amounts of time and effort.
Despite their tiny mouths, they can still deliver savage bites. They must be kept in a very secure cage with narrow bar spacing; otherwise, they will flee or become trapped in the bars trying to flee.
You may house one in a 7-foot square enclosure if you have an inside cage. However, they’ll require access to a significantly larger outside area for vitamin
Guenons
Weight: 7-10 lbs
Height: 14-24 in
Life Expectancy:
Cost: varies.
Guenons are 10-pound monkeys that hail from the forests of sub-Saharan Africa and can live quite a long life, even up to 25 years in captivity.
Guenons have tiny snout-like noses and round rosy cheeks. These monkeys are mostly found in dense forests in West Africa. Vegetables, fruits, and leaves are foods of this breed. They can easily travel through the woods due on to their lengthy arms and trim legs.
Guenons are also high-maintenance animals. The green monkey, vervet, and grivet are the most commonly kept species as pets among the almost two dozen species of guenons. They can thrive in big flocks. To keep this animal as a pet, you’ll need a whole troop of them.
They are also social animals, they are used to living in huge groups and will actually get depressed when kept alone.
Chimpanzees
Weight: 70-130 lbs
Height: 3-5.5 ft
Life Expectancy: 32-39 years
Cost: $50,000 or more
The Chimpanzee is a type of primate that you can keep as a pet and is not, in fact, a monkey. They are classified as apes. You’ll often see Chimpanzees on films and television programs.
Chimp lifespan in captivity is roughly 60 years, so if you obtain a pet chimp, you will have it for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, these primates are extremely dangerous and have maimed and killed people in the past. The majority of chimps kept as pets are destined to end up in a laboratory for study.
Squirrel Monkeys
Weight: 7.6-10 oz
Height: 1.7 ft
Life Expectancy: 20-25 years
Cost: $9,000 on average
Squirrel monkeys are tiny, usually measuring just 10-14 inches without the tail. This little monkey breed is generally around 1-3 pounds, but they’re very energetic and athletic.
Squirrel monkeys want a huge enclosure with lots of trees to swing from and hang by their tails. They’re finicky eaters, so even if a squirrel monkey doesn’t consume as much as a chimp, feeding could be an issue.
Squirrel monkeys were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s because of their appealing appearance, but it was discovered that they do not make the best pets.
Squirrel monkeys are sociable pets that may live in groups of 500 or more in the wild, so most experts advocate keeping at least two of them to have double the enjoyment while reducing trouble.
Spider Monkeys
Weight: 19-25 lbs
Height: 21-34 in
Life Expectancy: 25-40 years
Cost: $6,000 on average
Spider monkeys are one of the most well-known monkey species. Unfortunately, while they are kept as pets, they are extremely unclean! While most monkeys can be potty-trained, spider monkeys frequently remove their diapers and fling them around.
Furthermore, spider monkeys are highly sociable and require considerably more attention and interaction than most monkey kinds. Spider monkeys may become hostile without sufficient care.
Diapers are required for all spider monkeys, but diaper training is simply not an option. Adults have been observed to rip off the diapers and fling them away! This monkey species requires a lot of human care, and if it isn’t given, this species becomes violent.
They can also throw poop at you, but you can learn more about why do monkeys throw poop at humans here.
Saki Monkeys
Weight: 4-5 lbs
Height: 13-16 in
Life Expectancy: 15-35 years
Cost: varies
The White-Faced Saki monkeys are another diminutive monkey species. These tiny creatures have a height of between 12 and 20 inches and a weight of between 1 and 3 pounds.
There are approximately 16 varieties of this breed that live in the rainforests of Southern and Central America, as well as around forest and road perimeters. They eat only fruits, insects, blooms, and leaves.
They’re tiny, so they generally spend the rest of their life in trees. They will, however, go to the ground to feed on occasion.
It’s very difficult to get Saki Monkeys as pets, especially in the Americas, where they are not as popular as they are with monkey owners in Asia.
Titi Monkeys
Weight: 1.8-2.5 lbs
Height: 11-17 in
Life Expectancy:
Cost: $8,000 or more
Titi monkeys grow to be between 10 and 22 inches tall and are divided into three distinct species. Furthermore, they lost three more species.
The bright monkeys have beautiful fluffy tails that set them apart from other monkey species.
Since 2000, numerous Titi monkey species have been discovered, especially in the Amazon regions. These tree-dwellers enjoy the woods and rely on plant food to survive.
Furthermore, because of their violent propensities outside of primate groups, they are untamable and are extremely difficult to domesticate, so if you are planning on getting one as pet, you really should either have plenty of resources to give it an environment that resembles its natural habitat or consider something else.
Gibbons
Weight: 12-17 lbs
Height: 15-36 in
Life Expectancy: 30-50 years
Cost: up to $40,000
There are over 40 different species and subspecies in the family, including some that have become extinct. These creatures range in height from 30 to 31 inches and are very amiable and sociable by nature.
The voices of gibbons are quite loud, and they are frequently heard screaming. In other words, this breed belongs only in the wild, and living with one in a house can be extremely difficult if not impossible, but people still get them as pets, although it is quite rare (and a bit secretive).
Vervet Monkeys.
Weight: 7.5-18 lbs
Height: 23 in
Life Expectancy: 12-24 years
Cost: varies
Vervet Monkeys live in South Africa and have five species. These monkeys are herbivores by nature and prefer to eat plants and plain vegetation. Vervet monkeys can reach a height of 16-20 inches as adults.
They are a family-oriented breed, and they are used to living in large clusters. They may be identified by their family members based on their screams.
Do Monkeys Make Good Pets?
Monkeys in general do not make good pets, and almost everyone thinking of getting a pet monkey would be better off with a dog or a cat. Monkeys look cute but can be very difficult to train and care for.
Monkeys can also be dangerous as even the most well-trained pet monkeys can throw tantrums and become aggressive suddenly. Monkeys are known to throw poop even at their owners and can transmit diseases such as Herpes B.
Monkeys are also illegal to own in most places, and you can learn if Monkeys are legal in your state here.
Conclusion:
Monkeys are amazing creatures. If you have ever owned one or have had contact with one in your life, you are undoubtedly aware of their intriguing, amusing, and entertaining qualities.
Despite their varied appearances and personalities, monkey breeds all over the world have a few things in common.
Monkeys are now increasingly popular as pets, having originally been intended to be released into the wild. However, wildlife experts caution that monkeys make excellent pets only until they reach a specific age. It’s then best to let nature take its course and teach them what they were meant to learn and do.
Still, while they’re in your care, these beautiful creatures deserve all of the love and attention they can get. As a result, it’s critical to be up to date on their health and wellbeing at all times.
That concludes our post! We hope that we were able to introduce you to a few monkey types and provide some interesting facts about them.
I’d like to remind you that monkeys, like any other animal, have the potential to be aggressive. If you are in their presence or are considering getting one as a pet, you should remember this at all times for your and your family’s safety.
But If you are going to have a small monkey in your home, you will be pleasantly surprised at how amusing and adorable they can be.
Related Questions
What is the easiest monkey to have as a pet?
Capuchins are the easiest monkeys to have as pets, followed closely by marmosets. Capuchins are the only monkeys that are appropriate for beginners, while marmosets are best suited to more experienced owners.
That’s because capuchins are easy to get and easy to train. Capuchins are also generally healthy, with a life expectancy of 30 years.
What is the cheapest pet monkey?
Marmosets are the cheapest pet monkeys and they can cost you around $1,500 to $2,500 to get one depending on where you get it from.
What type of monkey is best for a beginner?
A capuchin would be the best type of pet monkey to get if you are just starting out. They’re easy to take care of, they do well with other animals and children, and they aren’t so expensive. Plus, many people find them easier to train than other types of monkeys.
Can you have a pet monkey and a dog?
You can keep monkeys and dogs together as long as they learn to get along at an early age. However, the goal is to make sure that each animal has its own play area so that it doesn’t injure itself or be injured by another creature.
Monkeys also need lots of attention, and if you aren’t giving them what they need then it might lead to aggression issues.
What type of monkey do you think is the smartest?
The brightest monkeys make up what’s called a super-order known as simian. These clever creatures include chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos.
In fact, in 2001, researchers at Georgia State University conducted an experiment to determine which animals excelled when it came to what’s known as object permanence. This is a skill that involves being able to find an item even if it isn’t in plain sight and the experiment included over 20 species of animals, including monkeys, dogs, cats, and pigs.
The results showed that all primates were better at completing this task than other creatures such as birds, cats, and dogs.
Which is the most dangerous type of monkey to keep as a pet?
The main risk in keeping any type of monkey as a pet would be their sharp teeth and nails. However, there are some species that pose more danger than others due to what they eat in nature.
For example, spider monkeys mainly live off of what’s known as gum, which they get from the inside of trees.
If you don’t give it this type of food then your pet may lash out at you for not giving it what it needs to survive.
You can learn about all the reasons that make monkeys such dangerous pets here.
What type of monkey is least expensive?
The most affordable types are marmosets and tamarins because they’re so small. Plus, they don’t require a lot of what’s called ‘housing’ because they live in the wild and sleep high up in trees.
However, just because these monkeys are cheaper doesn’t mean that you should get one if you have no experience with how to care for them or what their needs are. It can be hard to understand what they need if you have no prior knowledge.
You can learn about the prices of popular monkey breeds here.
What monkey is the smallest?
The tiniest of all are marmosets, which average around 12 inches tall and can fit into your palm or sit on your shoulder. They’re very friendly too because they love being held by people. However, their life expectancy is just around 15 years.
What is the most popular type of monkey as a pet?
The three types that are mostly kept as pets in North America today include capuchin monkeys, rhesus macaques, and squirrel monkeys.
Capuchins tend to be what’s called ‘hyper’ which means they’re almost always moving and shaking.
Rhesus macaques tend to be what’s called ‘strong’ and they can overpower their owner if they become too aggressive.
Squirrel monkeys are what’s known as the most hyperactive type of monkey, which means you need a lot of energy reserves to keep up with them. But this is also what makes them so fun to be with.
What monkey is the most expensive?
The three types that are what’s called ‘most expensive’ (and what you’re least likely to find for sale) include howler monkeys, spider monkeys and woolly monkeys.
Howlers spend their time in what’s known as packs so if they don’t get enough attention then they can become what’s called ‘lonely’ and depressed.
Spiders are the most intelligent type of what you might find as a pet, which means that it takes an experienced owner to know what their needs are so they don’t get sick or injured. But having such a smart monkey also makes them less likely to be what’s called ‘domesticated’ because they’re always moving and shaking.
Woolly monkeys are what’s known as a small type, which means you’ll need to provide them with what’s called an ‘enclosure’ in order for them to have enough space to move around. But these creatures tend to bond very closely with their owners and never want to leave their side.
What type of monkey is the shortest?
The smallest types include what’s called pygmy marmosets and mouse lemurs, which are what we call ‘smaller’ primates. The average height for a pygmy marmoset is what’s known as about six inches tall and they weigh what’s called around four ounces. The life expectancy for this type is just around 15 years long.
Mouse lemurs are what we call ‘smaller’ primates, which means that they’re what’s called ‘less than six inches tall’. They live an average of about 12 years and their diet consists mainly of insects such as crickets.
What type of monkey eats what’s called insects?
The types that are what we call ‘primarily insectivores’ include the pygmy marmoset, mouse lemur and bushbaby.
Pygmy marmosets tend to what’s called eat mainly tree sap because it provides them with what’s known as their main source of what’s called ‘carbohydrate’ which is what they need to survive.
Bush babies spend the night in what we call trees and sleep during what’s known as daylight hours, so they’re active mainly at nighttime. They eat mostly insects because that’s what their bodies require for energy.
The mouse lemur tends to primarily what’s called eat what are known as ‘fruit bats’ because this is what they find in what we call the environment.
Helpful Resources
The Care Of Monkey Handbook: Expert Advice On – Housing, Feeding And Health
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