PRIMATES AS PETS
Monkeys, lemurs, Lorises, and even sometimes small Apes are brought into homes as pets for a variety of reasons. Because of our close relationship to them we seem drawn to their Human-like characteristics. Their bright busy eyes, their neverending curiosity, and their intelligence are all irresistible when we watch them at play. Who can avoid speculating what it would be like to have one in our home when we watch them in a zoo or Nature documentary? They look like bright little children who need us to make their life complete! Who has ever had an "Organ grinder" Monkey reach out to us who could resist the little beggar? Wearing a little brightly colored suit and a hat, who wouldn't want one of their own? Because of the difficulties encountered in keeping monkeys as pets, and because of the disease problems encountered with them, most pet shops are unwilling to go to the enormous effort of handling and risks of placing them in families. Many of the dealers of Monkeys are out- of-state "wholesalers", and, due to distance etc., provide little, if any assistance to the buyer. It is often very difficult to obtain reliable backgrounds on the animals. Since many of the dealers are across the state line, it is never convenient to stop by and chat with them like you can when you buy a bird or bunny from your neighborhood pet shop. Caging is a challenge, and they seem incredibly capable of finding a way out of any cage. Hundreds of dollars are needed for first rate primate cages. Diapering is often resorted to in order to protect the sanitation of the home and family. As a minimum, monkeys require a detailed physical each year. At that time they will have their annual TB test to protect their health, not to mention the health of the family. They need a detailed Ova and Parasite exam to determine their parasite load. At one of their young adult physicals, they will have a complete blood screening as well, and an X-Ray is often done at the same time. There are tests for the herpes-B virus and others which affect humans as well. Diet is not difficult, but bananas will not do it. Primates need a carefully chosen diet of commercially prepared "Monkey Biscuit" and perhaps table foods. The table foods eaten must have at least as wide a variety as is offered to the other members of the family. (January, 1992) ******************** Prepared by the Exotic Pet and Bird Clinic, 903 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 Telephone: (206) 827-6613 *********************
URL: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/keeppets.html
Page last modified:
February 15, 2002
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