Buying a Monkey As a Pet

Monkeys are captivating and beautiful creatures that often steal our hearts when we see them at zoos or on TV. They are also fascinating, intelligent and social animals that are incredibly active in their habitats. Many people dream of having a monkey as a pet, but owning one is a major lifelong commitment with substantial financial and physical requirements. It’s important to be aware of all the risks and responsibilities before making this type of purchase.

Monkeys are able to move between trees and on the ground thanks to a system of interconnected branches, roots and vines that make up their environments. They can grasp fruit with their hands or forelimbs, swing from branch to branch, and run on all fours or use arms for movement. Some monkeys have prehensile tails that they use to hold onto branches and vines while moving, and a few species, including some New World monkeys and apes, can walk on two feet (bipedalism).

Some monkeys have anatomical oddities, like colobus monkeys with a stub for a thumb and proboscis monkeys with extraordinary noses. Other monkeys have specialized anatomy for exploiting different types of food. For example, some Old World monkeys have multi-chambered stomachs to help them digest leaves, while the gelada eats grass and has digestive organs more similar to those of ruminants.

In the wild, monkeys are usually solitary, but some live in all-male groups led by a single male. In captivity, monkeys can be difficult to tame and have little interest in human affection, even when properly trained. They have a very long lifespan and require full-time care from humans throughout their lives, so they are not well-suited as pets. They can be abrasive and destructive, and they may bite or scratch people who try to assert their dominance. Even well-trained monkeys may become aggressive or dangerous if their environment is not conducive to their natural behavior.