Should you own a capuchin monkey as a pet?
This was the question asked by Big Joe after he visited the forests of South and Central America.
Joe is a passionate animal lover who has always been keen on having an exotic pet.
When he visited the forests of South America, he met a capuchin that was called Aloe by the natives.
Aloe was an energetic young monkey that was full of life.
He loved to play, cuddle, and eat almost everything he could lay his hands on.
Joe thought that could be it to own and take care of a capuchin monkey if he buys from a breeder.
All he thought he had to do was play with a capuchin and provide food such as fruits, leaves, insects, nuts, and seeds.
Was Joe right, and should you own a capuchin monkey as a pet?
Can you Own a Pet Capuchin Monkey?
Capuchin monkeys are primates.
Just like every other primate, they are intelligent and trainable.
They are capable of learning commands and tricks.
Their ability to learn is further enhanced by their curiosity.
This has made it entertaining and comic to watch, especially when they are in a good state.
They can also form strong affectionate bonds with their human carers, which can make them pass as pets.
However, capuchin monkeys do not make great pets, and they are not advised to own them, especially for a first-time pet owner.
Reasons Capuchin Monkeys Are Not Pets:
While it might be fascinating to own an exotic pet, choosing a capuchin monkey as one is not advisable.
However, if you still want to purchase one, you should make the following considerations:
1. Legality to own a Capuchin Monkey as a pet?
When it comes to owning an exotic animal such as a capuchin monkey, there are laws, policies, and regulations that govern and control their use as a pet.
These laws are domiciled in federal, state, and law agencies, zoning and permits, rescue, and sanctuary regulations.
It is important to enquire if it is legal to own a capuchin monkey in your locality and the guidelines.
Certain states in the United States of America permit ownership.
These states are;
- Texas
- Florida
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Nevada
- Mississippi
- Tennesse
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- Kansas.
2. How expensive is it to own a capuchin monkey?
Exotic pets are not cheap to purchase or maintain, and the capuchin monkey is not an exception.
Capuchin monkeys cost an average of $5000-$7,000 to own, and they are not readily available on the market.
It is best advised to purchase a capuchin monkey from a recognized and verified responsible breeder, but finding one might be a problem.
Breeders do adopt young capuchin monkeys from their nursing mothers to reduce dependency on their mothers and also to create an opportunity for them to bond with adopters.
Make sure you purchase a capuchin from a reputable breeder that is licensed by the USDA.
These breeders have a history of the capuchin monkey.
However, despite being able to find and purchase one, there are also other considerations regarding their diets, care, and housing that require great specialisation.
Capuchin monkeys, like other monkeys, are tree-loving animals.
They require large spaces and trees, which might not be easily available in most personal houses.
In the absence of a large space or trees, their quality of life drops, which brings about much controversy about their adaptability as pet animals.
They also require specialized and well-experienced primate vets that are not easily and readily available.
These limited vets do not come cheap.
What Do Capuchin Monkeys Eat or Drink?
Capuchin monkeys require specialized diets that mimic foods that can be easily gotten in their natural habitat.
Foods such as
- Fruits: Berries, figs, palm fruits, apples, bananas, and melons
- Leaves: Leafy greens, vines, spinach, collard greens, kale
- Insects: Grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms
- Small animals: Lizards, frogs
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds
- Bugs
These meals contain all dietary nutrients such as fibre content, protein levels, fats, water, essential vitamins, and minerals needed for optimum growth.
Pros & Cons of Keeping a Capuchin Monkey as a Pet?
Capuchin monkeys, like other animals, do have some pros as pet animals.
Pros:
- Capuchins Monkeys are capable of forming strong bonds with their owners
- They are also adorable, especially during their young age.
- Intelligent, affectionate, curious, and social
Cons:
- They are unnecessarily loud and noisy
- Transmission of diseases such as herpes B (monkey B virus) through scratches and bites.4
- They can be messy, throwing faeces and urine
- Aggressiveness, especially as they age
- Space requirement
- High maintenance
- Regulations
- Long lifespan between 30-40 years
- Behavioural issues, especially as they age
- High energy and attention needs
How To Train a Capuchin Monkey:
Capuchin monkeys have independent minds.
They are not so easy to train to follow a particular command or way of life, especially for the older ones despite their smartness.
The adult ones can be very strong-minded, stubborn, and resentful.
It is best advised to engage the services of a professional.