Exotic Monkeys for Sale



Locating exotic monkeys for sale might seem like an intriguing activity, but one should think twice before purchasing one of the eclectic creatures. Monkeys are extremely social creatures, and buying one means a commitment that can span decades. During this long stretch of time, they need attention and interaction with either humans or each other in order to be happy. In fact, in order to stay alive, it is said that one of these acrobats can die from loneness if not given enough attention. Just because one of these exotic imports or captivity-bred animals is found in a pet shop doesn't mean having it won't be a lot of work.



There are many kinds of exotic monkey available for sale through pet shops or breeders, but all are roughly divided into two groups: the Old World primates and New World primates. The Old World group is more physiologically advanced than the New World, having more advanced brains and opposed thumbs, unlike the New World primates. Apes are included in the Old World group, but they are not what one would call exotic. Between the two groups, there are more than 250 species.

Among the more popular monkeys that are available for sale are the Squirrel, Spider, Lemur and the Bush Baby. The Capuchin Monkey is the one better known for turning an organ grinder on the sidewalk as he collects donations from passing pedestrians. The exotic Spider Monkey is also interesting, occurring in four similar species. They average about 13 to 14 pounds, with a life span of about 22 years. Mothers provide for newborns for about 10 weeks during which the babies are dependent, and after that for about a year.

Monkeys are not animals in the sense that they can just be purchased and then given bananas or cat food found on sale. They are intelligent and like any other exotic mammal become bored quite easily. They need a diet of food that varies and is interesting, something not offered for sale in a box. What they normally eat in the wild is dependent upon the species and the environment in which they normally live. Some are strict herbivores: they eat only plant materials, such as leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, nuts, and especially fruits. But others eat more fruit, and approximately 90% of the spider monkey's diet subsisting of fruit. Some species may have a diet that includes eggs, insects, and small reptiles, but this is less frequent. The idea that a monkey can live exclusively off of bananas is absurd. Believe it or not, they need a diet that is as diverse as the diet of humans.