No one can deny how cute small monkeys are. There are many different breeds of these little creatures, and you can learn all about them in this article.
Do Small Monkeys Make Good Pets?
As cute as monkeys are, it is not a good idea to keep them as a pet. Some breeds are legal for you to purchase, but there are still many things that you need to think about before you decide to have one as a pet.
- Some of the issues that may arise from keeping monkeys as a pet are listed below.
- They cannot always be trained to use the toilet outside.
- They should not be kept in cages and need much room to move around.
- They can be aggressive, and they are a lot stronger than they look.
- Although they are cute, they are not affectionate and probably will not take kindly to trying to be cuddled.
- As well as these issues, keeping monkeys as pets is incredibly expensive. Not only do they cost a lot of money to buy, but the ongoing costs of taking care of them can also mount up reasonably quickly.
They can also live for between 20 and 30 years, so it is a lifelong commitment for some people.
There is also a lot to learn about taking care of monkeys. You will probably need to get advice from an expert as this advice will be ongoing as the monkey gets older. These are all things you will need to consider if you are considering getting a monkey as a pet.
While you may not have one as a pet, you can still appreciate how cute these small monkeys are. A list of the cutest tiny monkeys is listed below.
Common Marmosets
The Marmoset family has 22 species, and they are often referred to as New World monkeys. This is because they live in South and Central American countries. A feature of New World monkeys is flat noses, which Common Marmosets have. This sets them apart from monkeys from the Old World. They are usually around 8 inches (20cm) in length.
The numbers of this breed of monkey in the wild declined, but they have started to rise again recently. It is thought that part of this increase may be because some monkeys that were being kept in captivity were released back into the wild.
Pygmy Marmosets
When Pygmy Marmosets are all sat in a line, they could almost be mistaken for baby birds, which adds to their cuteness. Their eyes look huge in proportion to the rest of their face, so they always look very intense. They do not usually grow more than 6 inches (15cm) tall and are called finger monkeys because of their small size.
When people think about keeping a monkey as a pet, it is often Pygmy Marmosets that they think of. As they are so small, there is a misconception that this makes them easier to manage. However, this is not the case.
Despite their size, they are one of the more aggressive species of monkeys. Their behavior can be destructive, and this can cause problems if they are allowed out of their cages inside the home. Pygmy Marmosets can also not live alone, and so you would have to consider buying at least two pets. This can increase the costs associated with owning monkeys considerably.
Tarsiers
Tarsiers have huge yellow eyes, and their eyeballs are so prominent that they almost look as if they will pop out of their heads. They have a very distinctive look and are instantly recognizable to most people. They are almost unique amongst breeds of the monkey because they do not eat vegetation. Their diet is primarily made up of insects, but they also eat larger animals such as birds, snakes, and bats.
The fact that these monkeys are so small makes their eyes look even larger. They are some of the smallest monkeys on this list, measuring just 4-6 inches (10-15cm) tall.
Howler Monkeys
One of the most interesting features of the howler monkey is its tails. They can support the whole weight of their body for long periods and are also used to pick fruit and nuts out of trees. The average height of these monkeys is anywhere around 22 inches (55cm).
Howler monkeys do not make good pets because they do not react well to be kept in captivity. They are also very loud, and their howls can be heard from a distance of 5km away.
Spider Monkeys
Spider Monkeys live in rainforests, and like many other creatures in this habitat, some species are endangered. They are commonly black in color and have very long limbs and tails which give them their name.
Even though they are still small compared to other breeds of monkeys, they are the tallest species on this list. They can reach a height of 33 inches (85cm).
Macaques
Humans have not always treated Macaque monkeys well, using them for animal testing and laboratory tests. Despite this, they live in close proximity to humans in the forests of Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. They are usually between 16-28 inches (40-71cm) tall.
Macaques can live for up to 30 years, and so they are not a good choice for pets or children. You may find that you end up taking care of them long after your children have left home. These are another breed of monkeys that needs to socialize, and so you will have to buy at least two, which is something else to think about.
Squirrel Monkeys
There are five different species of the squirrel monkey. They all live in Central and South America, and all species have very short coats. They are given their name because of their long hairy tails, and they can grow up to 14 inches (35cm) in height.
It is common for the squirrel monkey to be captured to be sold as pets or for medical research. However, they are not yet at risk of becoming an endangered species.
Gibbons
There are more than 40 different species of Gibbon, and this number would be higher if some species had not become extinct. They are known for their loud voices, which can reach a volume greater than that of the human voice. They are very social creatures that grow to a height of 31 inches (80cm).
They are the fastest and most agile of mammals that live in trees and tend to move around by swinging through the branches. They have shared many characteristics with great apes, but they are classified as small apes.
White-Faced Sakis
There are sixteen species of the Saki monkey, and the white-faced Sakis is the most well-known of these. They are very loyal creatures and are one of the only breeds of monkeys that mate for life.
They live in the Central American rainforests and spend more time in the trees than they do on the ground. Their height can range anywhere between 12-20 inches (30-50cm).
Capuchin Monkeys
Capuchins are often used in TV shows and movies because they have a cooperative nature. They are also very intelligent and have been known to live up to 40 years of age. They are a small species that do not tend to grow more than 22 inches (56cm) in height.
In the wild, they live in several different areas because they are not demanding with regards to where they live. They sleep in trees and tend to wedge themselves between branches.
Guenons
One of the first things you will notice when you look at a Guenon monkey is how colorful their coats are. They live in groups in the countries of West Africa, and it is usual to only find one male living with a large group of females. The height of these monkeys can vary between 16-22 inches (40-55cm).
Vervet Monkeys
Vervet monkeys come from South Africa, and there are five different species in total. They are unique because they use screaming as a way to get their mother’s attention while they are young. Each monkey has an individual scream, so they are instantly recognizable to their mothers. The maximum height that they grow to tends to be around 20 inches (50cm).
Night Monkeys
These are also sometimes referred to as owl monkeys. It is thought that they have evolved over many years to become nocturnal as they are in less danger from predators at night. They do not have eyes that glow in the dark like other nocturnal creatures, but they can see well at night. They tend to reach 25 inches (64cm) in height.
Their eyes are quite large, and this also helps them to see better at night. They rely on their vision more than their hearing, and from a distance, it is quite difficult to see their ears on the side of the head.
Red-Handed Tamarin
The hands of this species of Tamarin are really red compared to the black color of their fur. Their ears are quite pointy, and people often say they remind them of Gremlins from the movie of the same name. Both species of Tamarin are usually between 5-12 inches (13-30cm) tall.
Titi Monkeys
There are now three species of Titi monkey that are alive today, with three other species becoming extinct. However, numbers of these monkeys do seem to be growing in the wild, particularly in the Amazon rainforest, which is great news for biologists and conservationists. They grow to between 10-22 inches (25-56cm) in height.
Each species looks physically very similar to the others, with the main difference being the coloring of their fur. They also all have furry tails which are not prehensile.
Golden Lion Tamarin
This Tamarin monkey gets its name from its golden fur, which is similar to the color of a lion’s. Their diet mainly consists of plants and vegetables, but they will also eat small insects. They can move extremely quickly when needed and live in groups that can include up to 40 members. They are generally no bigger than the size of a squirrel.
Is Keeping Monkeys As Pets Legal?
In the UK, the RSPCA has been campaigning to make it illegal for people to keep monkeys as pets. They have started a petition which more than 60,000 people have signed.
In the United States, it is legal to keep monkeys as pets in most states. However, some states will require you to have a permit and so you should always check out the laws that apply in your location before you make any decision.
Some of the states that allow you to keep monkeys as pets include:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Virginia
How Expensive Are Monkeys To Buy?
You should expect to pay between $5-8000 to purchase a monkey. In most cases, you will need to buy at least two monkeys because they are very sociable creatures who will be lonely on their own However, the expense does not stop there.
They need large cages to move around in, and the price of these can be thousands of dollars. You also need to factor in the cost of food and supplements for the monkey and vet bills that are not going to be cheap. Some species of monkeys have large appetites, which are combined with very specific diets.
There is also more than just the financial aspect to consider. Monkeys also require a lot of time and attention. It is not an easy task to look after these little creatures, and you will be taking on a commitment that can last for twenty years or more. You should not even consider purchasing a monkey until you have spoken to an expert and have been advised about everything that is owning a monkey entails.
