Frequently asked questions

100% NO While monkeys are undeniable adorable and incredibly intelligent, they are still wild animals not domesticated pets. Caring for monkeys require extraordinary time, dedication, and patience. They have complex emotional, social, and physical needs that cannot be met in a typical home environment. Monkeys need constant enrichment, companionship, specialized diets, medical care from exotic primate vets, and secure enclosures. Without all of these, they can develop behavioral issues and suffer emotionally and physically. Many people that acquire monkeys as pets eventually realize they are unprepared for the lifelong commitment and challenges involved, which often leads to surrender or abandonment.

In captivity they should eat a wide variety of foods, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, eggs, meat and monkey biscuits.

40 years in captivity

I wish, but NO

Silly question, but I have been asked several times. No they can not but they can learn sign language.

My monkeys average 12 hours a night. In the wild they normally sleep from dusk til dawn.

Apes are much larger than monkeys. Monkeys have tails, Apes do not. Apes have broader chests and larger brains and typically live longer than monkeys.

Monkeys have 32 teeth in total, the same as humans and apes.

339 total species among the six families of Old World and New World monkeys: Cercopithecidae, Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae, and Ateli

Before getting a monkey it is essential to understand the long-term commitment involved. Depending on the type of monkey, they can live 40 to 50 years. They count on you for everything, they require constant care, enrichment and playtime to keep them mentally stimulated. They thrive when they are part of a Troop, so only having one is doing a disjustice to a monkey, social interaction is crucial for their well being. Financially, caring for a monkey can be demanding due to their specialized diet, veterinary care and many other expenses. You also need to think about their future is something were to happen to you. Do you have a will in place with to whom they will go to, a life insurance policy for them so you are not putting a financial burden on someone else. It is also important to realize that having a monkey will completely change your lifestyle, you can not have a job unless you work from home because they require constant attention. Vacations are very challenging because when your monkey turns a year, they will not let other people care for them. They are like having a 2 year old for 40 years. It’s not the matter of if they will bite, it’s when they will bite and yes you will get bit. Don’t forget they are still wild animals and do not make good pets. It is also important that you live in a legal State, City and County and you have proper permits. Making this kind of decision requires careful thought and preparation. I suggest you volunteer and be around monkeys before you make this lifetime commitment.