Monkeys are a group of primates in the order of mammals, and include the New World monkey species (smaller, tree-dwelling monkeys from South America) and Old World monkey species (larger, ground-dwelling monkeys from Asia and Africa). Before deciding on a particular monkey species to own as a pet, it’s important to research it thoroughly and speak with owners to learn about its general characteristics.
Generally, monkeys are omnivorous. They will eat almost anything that is available to them in their habitat, including plants, insects, and the eggs of local birds. They can be a little picky about certain foods, however, and may avoid eating leaves that are poisonous to them, for example, or the fruits of nightshade plants. In captivity, it’s best to give your monkey a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and protein such as chicken, fish, or beef.
Most monkeys are highly social animals. They live in troops consisting of several females with their young and either a single male (hamadryas baboons, mandrills, guenons, most langurs, and savannah baboons) or multiple males (macaques). They nurse their young and have a menstrual cycle.
Keeping your monkey happy requires a lot of time and attention. It’s important to play with it every day, so that it feels safe and secure in its environment. Playing games such as tag, wrestling, and play-fighting help to build trust between you and your monkey. Spending time grooming your monkey is also a fun way to bond with it.