Monkeys - Do Your Homework Before Acquiring One

When you are looking at acquiring a particular pet for the household, there are numerous kinds of pets from which you will have to decide. To try to be different, a number of people will gravitate towards the exotic and there is hardly a more adorable exotic pet than the monkey. That said the squirrel monkey is typically the type of monkey selected by would be monkey owners. It is said that you can't judge a book by its cover and that statement was never more true as it relates to monkeys; particularly the squirrel monkey. Given the level of proper care required in owning a monkey, it can be a somewhat unrewarding and demanding experience.

Pair of Squirrel Monkeys by Gareth Hughes

Squirrel monkeys happen to be from South America originally, and they've migrated to America over time. Prior to settling on a monkey as a pet, all potential owners should do their due diligence and fully understand and appreciate all the aspects that go along with owning a pet monkey. Although they can be delightful pets, it should be noted that these creatures are wild animals and they will remain so. As such it is incumbent upon the owners to ensure the safety of all those who may come in contact with their pet monkeys as human injury is always a possibility.

If after careful consideration you still elect to become a monkey owner there are other items that will need to be contemplated. Squirrel monkeys essentially have no "off switch" and thus nearly constant activity is required in order to keep them fit and healthy. You should also realize that because they are undomesticated, their diet needs to match as closely as possible that which they would enjoy if still in the wild; unfortunately, feeding monkeys isn't as simple as it is for dogs, cats, rabbit, etc. Dry foodstuffs designed for monkeys can generally be found at area pet retailers. It is not the finest form of nutrition for your pet; nevertheless, it will ensure that your monkey receives its necessary vitamins. Additional nutrition can be provided by supplementing dry food with some fruits and vegetables. Infant milk can also be fed to your monkey during the initial few years after they are born; and then ultimately begin to transition them into solid foods. There are many different methods available to you to begin to shift your monkey to solid food with the size and weight of your animal dictating strategy.

Additionally, but no less importantly, owners must be cognizant of the fact that monkeys can become sexually active and assertive during particular time frames. Spaying or neutering should effectively diminish aggressive sexual tendencies in the future. Conversely, the absence of spaying/neutering can cause owners significant headaches which can result in physical injury to themselves and/or to those who come in contact with their pets. Caution cannot be overemphasized.

Author Resource
James Watchfield is well versed in small pets including monkeys He has written a number of articles about different kinds of animals that can be found on the internet. If you are interested in monkeys as pets you'll want to provide them with a good home. To view our line of monkey enclosures please visit http://innovative-enclosures.com which specializes in all different types of quality animal cages at discounted prices. You now have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

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