Monkey Law

Monkey Laws-According to YOUR Monkey

This is the Gospel

The 10 Monkey Property Laws

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my mouth, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours.
6. If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it just looks like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours

Laws on Primate Ownership

Primate owners will agree that we should have the choice to own a primate anywhere. But let us assure you that this IS NOT THE CASE. Primate ownership is highly governed by Laws according to state and in many states by city and county.

Therefore, do your research prior to even considering to buy a primate and ensure that they are legal where you live.

Below you will find a link that will give you the laws and regulations per state

http://www.petmonkey.info/laws.htm

Links to Monkey Products/Food/Toys

If you do not have access to the items needed for your new family member there are alot of great sites on the internet to buy primate food, snacks, treats, toys, clothes etc.....


http://www.primatestore.com/index.asp


http://monkeyneeds.com/

Monkey Facts

What kind of monkey do you want to bring home? BIG QUESTION, but one that you need to consider.
Before you can buy a monkey, you will have to find out what monkey you really want. Are you looking for an intelligent monkey like a capuchin or a smaller monkey like a marmoset or a tamarin. Perhaps you are looking for something in between like a squirrel monkey ? Maybe you would rather like to have a mouse-sized monkey like a pygmy marmoset ? Hopefully the details and pictures below will make you help the right decision.
Here is a list of primates commonly kept in captivity :
Capuchins
Guenons
Macaques
Marmosets
Squirrels
Spiders
Tamarins
Here is some global information for each specie :

Capuchins :
Lifespan:
35-45 years
Length:
Head + Body : 12-22 inches (30-55 cm)Tail : 12-22 inches (30-56 cm)
Weight:
4-15 pounds (1.8-6.8kg). Females are usually smaller than males
Brown pale-fronted capuchin(Cebus albifrons)
White faced capuchin(Cebus capucinus)
Black-capped capuchin(Cebus appella).
Guenons :

Vervet :
Lifespan:
20-25 years
Length:
Head + Body : 17.9-25.7 inches (46-66cm)Tail : 19.5-28.1 inches (50-72cm)
Weight:
Females : 7-9 pounds (3.5-4.5kg)Males : 9-10 pounds (4-5kg)
Green monkey(C. aethiops)
Grivet(C. aethiops sabaeus)
Vervet(C. aethiops pygerythus)

Macaques :
Celebes Macaque :
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Length:
Head + Body : 22-31 inches (60-80 cm)Tail : .39-.78 inches (10-20 mm)
Weight:
13-35 pounds (6-16kg).

Java Macaque :
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Length:
Head + Body : 15-24 inches (38-65 cm)Tail : 15.6-26 inches (40-65 cm)
Weight:
8-22 pounds (4-10 kg)

Pig-tailed Macaque :
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Length:
Head + Body : 19.5-27 inches (50-68 cm)Tail : 5-9.5 inches (14-24.5 cm)
Weight:
10-35 pounds (4.5-16 kg)

Rhesus Macaque :
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Length:
Head + Body : 15-24 inches (38.5-65 cm)Tail : 7-12 inches (38.5-65 cm)
Weight:
10-30 pounds (4.5-14 kg)

Stump-tailed Macaque :
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Length:
Head + Body : 23-25 inches (60-64 cm)Tail : .39-.78 inches (10-20 mm)
Weight:
22-33 pounds (10-15 kg)

Rhesus Macaque(Macaca Mulatta)

Marmosets :
Common Marmoset :
Lifespan:
7-20 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7-12 inches (18-30 cm) Tail : 7-16 inches (17-40 cm)
Weight:
10-18 ounces (300-500 grams)

Geoffroy's Marmoset :
Lifespan:
7-16 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) Tail : 9-11 inches (23-29 cm)
Weight:
10-12 ounces (300-360 grams)

Pygmy Marmoset :
Lifespan:
over 16 years
Length:
The pygmy marmoset is one of the smallest monkey on earth !!!Head + Body : 4.7-5.8 inches (12-15 cm) Tail : 6.6-9 inches (17-23 cm)
Weight:
3.5-4.5 ounces (100-120g). At birth the young weigh appr 0.5 ounces (15g).

Silvery Marmoset :
Lifespan:
over 10 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7-10.9 inches (18-28 cm) Tail : 10.3-14.8 inches (26-38 cm)
Weight:
10.6-12.7 ounces (300-360 grams)
Common Marmoset(Callithrix jacchus jacchus).
Pygmy Marmoset(Cebuella pygmaea)
Geoffroy's Marmoset(Callithrix jacchus geoffroyi)
Silvery Marmoset(Callithrix argentata argentata)

Squirrels :
Lifespan:
15-25 years
Length:
Head + Body : up to 12.5 inches (31 cm)Tail : 16 inches (40 cm)
Weight:
appr 33.3 ounces (950g) for males appr 22.8 ounces (650g) for females
Common Squirrel monkey(Saimiri sciureus)

Spiders :
Lifespan:
30-35 years
Length:
Head + Body : 19-20 inches (48-52 cm)Tail : 27-30 inches (70-78 cm)
Weight:
13-25 pounds (6-12 kg)
Brown-headed spider monkey(Ateles fusciceps)

Tamarins :
Cotton-Top Tamarin :
Lifespan:
15 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7.8-11.3 inches (200-290mm)Tail : 12.1-16.4 inches (310-420mm)
Weight:
12.3 to 15.0 ounces (350- 450g)

Golden Lion Tamarin :
Lifespan:
15 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7.8 - 13.3 inches (200-340mm)Tail : 12.3 - 15.6 inches (315-400mm)
Weight:
12.7-25 ounces (360-710 g)

Emperor Tamarin :
Lifespan:
18 years
Length:
Head + Body : 9.2-10.4 inches (235-265mm)Tail : 14-16.6 inches (347-423mm)
Weight:
10.7-14 ounces (300-400 g)
Black Tamarin :
Lifespan:
16 years
Length:
Head + Body : 7.5-8.2 inches (190-210mm)Tail : appr 10 inches (250mm)
Weight:
9-13 ounces (250-365g)

Cotton-Top tamarin(Saguinus oedipus)
Golden lion tamarin(Leontopithecus rosalia)
Emperor tamarin(Saguinus Emperator).
Moustached tamarin(Saguinus Mistax)
Red Handed tamarin(Saguinus Midas)
Saddle-back tamarin(Saguinus fuscicollis Emperator)

Diet for Various Monkeys

Feeding time is one of the most important moments in the day of a monkey. Therefore it is very important that you take the necessary time to prepare it.
A varied diet is very important to avoid boredom and loss of appetite. Commercial primate diet should be included in their meal because it is very balanced and therefore healthy food for your monkey.
Make sure that fresh water is available at all times.
Feed your monkey twice a day.
For monkeys like spiders, capuchins, squirrels, marmosets and tamarins you should hang up your bowl or your feeding platform.
Depending on the size of your monkey you will have to cut up the food in bigger or smaller pieces.
Vitamins are very important for primates. Especially new world primates (like marmosets and tamarins) need extra vit D3 if they are kept indoors (do not overdose). When they don't have enough direct sunlight extra vitamins are required (or the use of Vitalights) to prevent them from getting metabolic bone disease such as rickets. Never feed your monkey raw meat, baby mice's or cockroaches (toxoplasmonia, protozoa, helminthes,worms ...).
Make sure that your fresh vegetables and fresh fruits is washed before feeding.
Commercial primate diet
Fresh fruit like mango, apple, papaya, grapes, banana, ...
Fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber, fennel, onions, cauliflower, tomato, ...
Cooked vegetables like peas, cauliflower, green beans, ...
Baby cereal
Hard boiled eggs
Yogurt
Cooked meat like chicken and turkey
Cooked fish
Rice
Seeds, grains and nuts
Insects like mealworms and grasshoppers

Marmosets and bushbabies are known as gum-feeders. With their sharp teeth they gnaw holes in trees to get the gum. In the wild they spend 1/3 of their time doing this. Besides the fact that "it will keep them busy for a while", it's also a source of energy, calcium and other minerals. It is known that also other species like squirrels or tamarins like arabic gum.
Mix one part of powder with two parts of water (or fruit juice). After two to three hours it's ready for distribution. Drill some holes into wood (like branches or bamboo) and fill them with this prepared gum.
In the wild primates have to hunt and search for food so they get a lot of exercise and it keeps them busy. In captivity it is also very important that your monkey is busy all the time to avoid boredom. If you just give all their food in a bowl, they will be done eating in minutes so perhaps it isn't a bad idea to make your monkey search and work for his food. Here are a few ideas to keep your monkey busy with eating :
Put their favorite food in a box which they have to open before being able to access it.
Hang up a plastic pipe horizontally with small holes in it and put some bedding and mealworms inside it. Your monkey will have to wait till a mealworm crawls out before he can eat it.
Use a plastic bucket with a hole in it (size of your monkeys hand) and put some fruits or vegetables in it. The nice thing about this bucket is that they can only take one piece at the time and there is also something like a surprise effect for them.
The use of several small feeding bowls on different places can be a good idea too.
Cut waterhoses up into about 8 inch long pieces, piped them full of peanut butter, placed them in the freezer and then stuck a stick in there when I was getting ready to give it to the animals and they would each go about getting the peanut butter out in different ways but the stick was to simulate what tool they used in a natural setting to get out termites/ants ... etc ... they had the best time working with that treat ....
Beth Granger
I got this recipe from a "big" zoo here in Belgium. They give it to all their monkeys, I give those cereal balls to my marmoset monkeys. They love it and it's very healthy so ... try it yourself !!! Mix baby milk with cooked water and add baby cereal, protein powder and primate vitamin mixture to it.
Johan Mommens
One of the best enrichment devices are the dog kongs you can get at the pet stores. Get one that he/she can easily handle, and can get their fingers into.Take the kong, plaster peanut butter over the small open end. Roll it in oatmeal, freeze it. Then when frozen solid, take it out, fill it with cereals, cut fruit/veggies, and other treats. I will usually fill it up with juice or water even, and refreeze (those strawberry/tomato green plastic mesh mini basket things work great for keeping them upright in the freezer). Also, top off with a banana slice, a half of a cherry tomato, or another goodie on the large open end, to get them started eating it.
Good good good... plus they get to keep the kong for after treat playing activity!
Kristin Key
6-7oz water3 scoops infant formula1 jar strained baby veggies or fruits (I alternate)5 monk chow biscuitsin blender put 4oz water & monk biscuits, blend until biscuits are totally chopped..add formula and babyfood and water until desired texture for bottle. Even very fussy eaters will usually take this, and it gets monk chow into them also. Makes 8-9oz...throw out any left after 3 days.
Sue Druan
One of the enrichments we've used included banana skins, and they are safe for macaques, don't know about capuchins or spiders, or any others. take a banana, skin it, if you can just split the skin, that's the best, split it lengthwise, then stuff it full of things, mixed fruits, cereals in substance, then freeze 'em!!! You can roll the banana in granola and freeze it too, works great for foraging stimulation. Also, take a paper bag, mix some cereal with some honey, or jam, or pnut butter, and pack the bottom of the bag, sack lunch!
Kristin Key

Bringing Baby Home

1). First, find out whether monkeys are legal in your state, county, city or town. Monkey ownership may be regulated against on any level of government. Federal licensing does not obviate the need for state licensing. State licensing, where required, does not satisfy requirements for county, city or town permitting. The right to legally own monkeys may be outlawed at any time on any level without wide spread public notification. Illegal monkeys are denied vet care in some states. Some states have the right to confiscate and keep illegal animals, and fines and sentences can be levied. Where permits are obtainable, yearly fees may be required. Paid inspections or unannounced government agency inspections may be part of a permit requirement. To determine the status of monkeys in your area, check with your state fish and wildlife department, with your county animal control or humane society, with your town or city planning commission or other local government agencies. If you are able to get a permit, take steps to ensure that your monkey permit will be grandfather in the event that the law changes.

2). Notify your vet that you will soon be receiving a monkey and confirm that he or she will treat the monkey.

Supplies needed before Your Monkeys Arrival:

1). Pet carrier: The small carrier works great for an infant monkey.

2). Formula: Similac or Enfamil with low iron. Both formulas are available as a powder and less expensive. We have found our formula to be a healthy nutrient diet for infants. Below is the following directions:

In a blender add the following:
4 level scoops of Similac or Enfamil Low Iron Formula Powder, and 8 ounces of bottle water.
4 New World Zupreem Monkey Biscuits or Old World (depending on which primate you have)
1 Flintstones Vitamin

1 Medium jar of Gerber Baby food, (Start out with Pears, Peaches, Applesauce, Bananas, Carrots, Squash and Sweet Potatoes).
Mix all ingredients together at highest speed, until liquefied. Then add 1/8 cup of Gerber Baby Cereal (Plain). Be sure to watch your formula so you don't get it too thick. Should be thin enough to come out of the nipple.
Store in a tight container in the refrigerator, remember formula is only good for 48 hours, discard any left over 48 hours and make a new batch.
I alternate a fruit and vegetable with each batch I make, Example: Start out with a fruit, then your next batch of formula will be a vegetable.
Baby bottles: 2 oz pet nursers for squirrel, marmoset, tamarins, bush babies, owl monkeys are the most appropriate size for these monkeys. They can be found in most pet stores. You should have at least a few on hand. 2 oz regular parents choice are nice for Capuchins, Spiders, ect..
Important note: When you are micro waving the formula, always remove the nipple and check the formula to make sure it is not too hot for your infant.

Blankets: Make sure there are no frayed edges or strings that can be eaten or wrapped around the neck.

Baby scale: A baby monkey weighs between one or two pounds. When grown he will weigh between five and eight pounds. Try and find a scale that will accurately weigh between one and ten pounds.

Baby Wipes: I prefer to use non-perfume. Wipes are great to use to clean up diaper changes.

Diapers: Huggie New Born Diapers works well, infants will normally need premie diapers (Pampers Snuggie Premie) also you can order the Pee-Wee diapers.

Toys: Should not be metal, or have sharp edges. Make sure no objects are small enough for infant to swallow. Babies have sharp teeth and can chew through plastic.

Stuffed Animals: Avoid stuffed animals made in foreign countries. The stuffing is often sprayed with poisonous insecticides. Avoid all stuffed animals with eyes that can be pulled off. All long hair stuffed animals should be trimmed. If long hairs are ingested, they can fatally obstruct the intestines.

Rectal thermometer: (average temperature for a capuchin is 100 to 101 degrees F)

Leash and Waist Collar or Harness: Soft nylon collars and harnesses work best. Note: When bathing your infant please remove the collar or harness as it will shirk when it gets wet and could cut into your babies skin and cause serious problems.

Information on Collars

Primate ownership carries with it a huge responsibility. Safety of the primate, and those who may have contact with the primate when it is out of its cage, must be a priority.
Train uncaged primates to wear a harness or collar and a leash. This gives control of the primates actions to whom ever accepts the responsibility of releasing the primate.
With proper taming and training techniques most primates will allow a collar or harness to be put on and a leash attached before exiting the cage. Primates will soon learn the harness or collar is a part of them and won't become afraid, instead trust you.
A Harness or Collar worn inside of the cage creates a potential problem if it becomes entangled or hooked on the cage or its contents. When these primates are bathed their collar or harness remains wet and the underlying skin does not dry out. Bacteria grows and the skin cells deteriorate. The constant rubbing of the wet collar or harness quickly chafes the stressed skin. If this area is not given proper care the condition escalates. For those owners who feel a 24 hour collar or harness is necessary we recommend the following guidelines be followed: Purchase a collar or harness used only when bathing your primate. After bathing thoroughly dry the area and re-apply a clean dry collar or harness. If you use a collar or visa versa you might want to bathe using a harness so you have full access to the covered area. All areas that come in contact with the harness or collar should be inspected for signs of chafing or skin developing sores. The collar or harness should be clean at all times. Regular washing and disinfecting will reduce bacteria growth. Having more than one harness or collar available allows you to rotate use easily. Check the fit of the collar or harness when you apply it to your primate.
If you should notice your primate tugging or scratching at any area around the collar or harness immediate inspection is necessary. If you should notice a peculiar smell around the collar or harness remove it and inspect thoroughly and seek veterinarian help.
Our primates comfort and health must be given priority. The time and expense spent to ensure both is our responsibility as primate owners.