Owning a Monkey

Monkeys are a part of the primate order and belong to families that include New World monkeys (smaller, tree-dwelling primates found in South America) and Old World monkeys (larger ground or tree-dwelling primates found in Africa). Monkeys are highly social animals and live together in troops. They can show emotions like love, anger and sadness and mourn the loss of loved ones.

Monkeys require plenty of stimulation in captivity to keep them from getting bored and destructive. They need to be able to play and interact with humans and other monkeys. This is why most monkeys found in the wild are in zoos, rather than in homes.

Most monkeys are omnivores, but some species have diets that lean heavily toward plant matter. For example, the diets of New World monkeys and chimpanzees tilt 95% toward plants and only 5% toward meat or invertebrates. The gelada monkey, meanwhile, is the only Old World monkey species that is exclusively herbivorous.

If you’re considering owning a monkey, be sure to research the species you’re interested in extensively. You also should consider the challenges that come with monkey ownership, from the cost to securing your home. Some states don’t allow monkeys, and even those that do have special restrictions on the types of monkeys you can own.

Be aware that some monkeys can bite if they feel threatened or are agitated, and you should never punish them for this behavior. Punishment only reinforces the monkey’s fear and can cause them to bite more often.