Capuchin Monkey

I am thinking about adopting a baby capuchin monkey and I had some questions for anyone who might be willing to answering them.

First of all I would like to state for any naysayers that I know it is a serious responsibility to take on, and I am definitely serious about it.

Would it be better to get a male or a female?

Is it possible to housetrain a Capuchin?

Everywhere that I look, everything stresses how expensive it is...Is it really THAT expensive? I don't really understand how it would be that much more than owning a spoiled dog.

Would it be better to get my Capuchin spayed/neutered, or not?

I may think of more, but these are just questions that I couldn't really find answers to elsewhere.

Thanks in advance!

 

I can't answer any of your 'needs' related questions. I've never owned a monkey, although my mother has owned 3. My advise is based on what she has told me.

Make sure you get a permit before purchasing the animal. Make sure the animal is securely caged or restrained anytime there is anyone in your house other than you.
Once you have all the legal things worked out and you accuire the animal, Don't expect to get a security deposit back on an apartment or other rental, if you can even find one that would allow an exotic pet like this. And Don't expect to go on vacation very often.

 

you probably don't realize how much of a responsibility.... 99.9% of people would be better off having a baby than a cappuchin... chances are before you can get one (i have no idea how that works, if they're breeding these poor animals or if they're domesticating them from the wild. where I'm from it would be impossible to get one.) they're not going to be anything like a spoiled dog, this is more comparative to an extremely out of hand child who wont grow up... ever... with a lifespan MUCH different to a dog... of another species i might remind you.

I'm not educated on how to care for a domesticated wild animal who SHOULD be swinging through miles and miles of trees on a daily basis and nor do i want to be... BUT, I'm sure that it's bad enough having a large active dog who never gets walked... THEY can destroy your house... I can only immagine what a nimble little monkey with OPPOSABLE THUMBS would do...

no disrespect here at all but these animals should NOT be domesticated... this is a recent thing and i just don't agree with them being kept as "pets" they can't be OWNED... it's not like a dog who's been domesticated for centuries... they walk in a circle to get comfortable... they howl, etc...


IF YOU DO DECIDE TO DO THIS... DO AS MUCH FREAKING RESEARCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!
I know I can't stop stupid people from doing stupid things (also not saying you're a stupid person) so I do have to say, go meet some people who own one of these little guys and see how they live... you would have to meet them in order to get one because i assume they're bred... (if they're domesticated then i will say you're stupid, or crazy taking in a wild animal)... and find out about ALL the costs, because you're more than likely adopting a highly special needs child who can't eat too much of certain things, etc etc... your diaper costs... etc etc


I just can't stand when people see things and assume it's a good idea, like watching monkey trouble and wanting a cappuchin... SURE I wanted one too when i was young... that movie ROCKS!
but it's the magic of hollywood making things wonderful.... i feel shitty enough about the fact that 101 dalmations makes people buy dalmations for their families when dalmations are actually high strung and can be aggressive...
OR movies with huskies or ANY ANIMALS because people don't educate themselves.

that's all I have to say... if you can afford it and you're dead set against it i can't stop you... but commit to it for it's ENTIRE life and educate yourself so you can give it a good life.

 

Yep. I agree with most people here. Don't do it.

Do you know that the lifespan of one of these creatures are?

In the wild they live to be 15-25 years putting you at 36-46 if you lived in the wild.
In captivity they have been known to live up to 45 years putting you at 66.

That's a big commitment.

 

What kind of monkey was it that (fairly) recently mauled a woman, pulling off her nose, lips, and something else, I think?

 

I think that was a chimp. They are cute when young but when they grow up they become scary.

 

Thanks, ZenBlue, I think that's right. I just remember how awful that was...and wondered what in the world that woman was thinking of - as she saw that monkey physically "closing in" on her! not protecting her face, huh?