I have afew very important things to say about owning a primate and hope that you take my words to heart. I have had animals as pets all of my life, but never a monkey until almost 8 years ago. It was one animal I had wanted since I was very young and never thought it would become a reality. I bought Chippy from a reputable pet store on Long Island and was literally put through the ringer about the cons of owning a monkey. Finally, the owner asked me what I did for a living and I said I was a Special Ed
teacher. He quickly said, "you can have him ! " When Igot Chippy, my kids were older - one was still at home and I lived in an apartment: hence a Squirrel monkey -small and totally adorable. I really knew nothing about caring for one. My main source of care came from the fact that I was a mother of two human primates...and a woman, Kathy Travers, who worked for the ASPCA, exotic animal division (she owned several squirrel monkeys) -that was where I began. The most important point I can make is that you MUST be willing to commit 100% to a monkey as you would with a child. They are adorable but they are a wild animal and you MUST respect that fact! You need to decide if you
are willing to put up with bites, hyperactivity, a certain degree of being tied down, etc. I have heard lately, too many horrible stories of people who got monkeys and then when they became difficult, abused them or ignored them,etc. I knew, in that very deep and sacred place of my heart , that I would be Chippy's mother for life ..no matter what ! AND that he would receive the best care and love that was within me to give (which is alot).
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Of course, I have made certain mistakes..because I really didn't have people to help me at first...never leashed trained him..so he doesn't go out! He does not wear diapers or clothing -it is my choice because I don't believe in it, but many others do !! I also never gave him monkey chow but continue to give him a bottle twice a day with polysol vitamins (afew drops). When he was little, he had enfamil - now he has Carnation follow-up formula. He eats for breakfast - fruits(all kinds) ,nuts popcorn, ricecakes, etc. He gets snack when I return from work...for dinner he has fresh vegetables,sometimes pasta. Eating is a ritual with him: one which I've observed in the
rainforests watching monkeys.He began with a small bird cage( he was so tiny) but now has a large parrot wrought iron one. He has his main stuffed bear and used to have many smaller ones but since he is not altered, he tried having sex with them ,causing him to become frantic and frustrated..no more little stuffies ( that's where the bites came from). I have had two bad ones and my neighbor one. He has had his canines removed by an excellent vet ,and I SHOULD have had him neutered too! Big mistake too..he is calming down though. That is sexually !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I covered the cage every night when he went to sleep to get him used to bedtime. Many nights I had to sit with him when he cried and rub his tummy and sing- just like a baby...I also had to wake up constantly during the night to give him a bottle when he was an infant ! He has a cloth book and tee shirts next to his bear and covers himself when he sleeps. It is adorable. Squirrel monkeys are EXTREMELY HYPER ! I had to limit him to the livingroom, foyer and kitchen..put baby locks on the closets and drawers in the kitchen. Drafts scare me and I do everything to avoid them.We use a reptile light for daylight and heat when I am home, only. I do not believe in yelling or hitting. I use a stern "no." and alot of positive reinforcement..like "good boy !" That works well. They are extremely inquisitive and curious , thus needing lots of stimulation. They are highly intelligent and understand language..Chippy understands english and alot of
spanish, too ! He sometimes looks at t.v. if children are on, likes one cat but not the other !!! He has lots of plastic bottles in his cage (from bottled water) which he loves to put his food in and shake out. He also has a large busy box and a small one in his cage. He likes me to swing him on a rope also!
That is a short version of Deborahs experience with her Squirrel Monkey Chippy.