How to Legally Own a Capuchin Monkey

Capuchins live in the trees of the forests of South and Central America. They are highly social animals and live in the wild mainly in large groups of 10 to 20 animals. In nature, these small monkeys eat a varied diet of fruits, leaves, nectar, nuts, buds, beetles, eggs, frogs, lizards, birds and even crustaceans. Special permits are required for the possession of a capuchin monkey by persons with disabilities. Capuchin monkeys are energetic exotic animals that need enrichment and an active lifestyle – often, when raised by humans, they rarely receive enough stimulation. They can be adorable when they`re babies, but as they get older, capuchin monkeys can easily get bored, which can lead to increasingly destructive behavior. They usually end up as incompatible pets, making them difficult to care for and leading to rescue or euthanasia. If you live in a state where pet monkeys are legal or restricted with proper permits, it`s important to understand that monkeys are wild animals, no matter how tame they may seem. Capuchin monkeys were trained as service animals until 2010, when the American Disabilities Act classified them as a danger to owners and the public due to disease transmission and aggression. The American Veterinary Medical Association also advises against the use of primates in service, making it difficult to find an exotic veterinarian to treat capuchins. Squirrel monkeys are one of the smallest primate species and quite common in the pet trade.

Other restrictions include the type of habitat, enclosure, and environment you can provide for your pet monkey, with minimum requirements for acreage and space for a healthy and thriving pet monkey. Pet monkeys can also catch human diseases such as salmonella, giardia and measles. Even without disease, captive monkeys need special diets and plenty of exercise to stay healthy, which is difficult for most people. Your monkey will need regular check-ups from a qualified exotic veterinarian. Before you bring a monkey home, be sure to find a qualified veterinarian in your area. Wash your monkey monthly with a mild shampoo for human hair, and be careful not to have soap in your eyes. Rinse the soap thoroughly, then dry your capuchin with a soft towel or hairdryer set over low heat. Yes. Capuchin monkeys thrive in a jungle or refuge where they are free to explore and play. In addition, monkeys are social creatures and benefit from being surrounded by a large “family” of other primates like them.

Capuchin monkeys are a popular pet, so you can expect the price of capuchin monkeys to range from $5,000 to $7,000 for your pet. Reputable breeders generally have healthier – and more expensive – animals. You can check if the breeder is USDA licensed and check their federal number. The illegal pet trade is a multi-billion dollar industry, so do your due diligence to avoid catching a sick pet or getting your money ripped off. Wildlife officials strictly reject capuchins as pets. Helping Hands, a Boston-based service monkey training academy, believes they are better equipped than any other animal to help people with physical disabilities with certain tasks — but not to support them as pets. Capuchin monkeys need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to thrive. They don`t thrive well in small enclosures and need plenty of space to walk around, climb trees, and explore their territory. Capuchins, like other primates, are not good pets. They are unhappy in a family environment and can become aggressive. They need the company of other capuchins and plenty of space to exercise, which they simply can`t get in a home environment.

The following non-human primates are not allowed in Ohio: golden lion, black-faced lion, golden-breasted gull, upper cotton, emperor, saddleback, black and navy coat of Geoffrey; southern and northern nocturnal monkeys; Dark Titi and masked Titi monkeys; Muriquis; Goeldi`s monkeys; white face, black beard, white bearded and monk-sakis; bald and black uakaris; Black-handed, white-bellied, brown-headed and black-headed spider monkeys; common woolly monkeys; Red, black and coat howler monkeys. Capuchin monkeys are among the most common primates in the pet trade. The black-headed or tufted capuchin seems to be the most commonly kept species. Some states have not completely banned monkeys as pets. These states have some sort of law or restriction that those who want to keep monkeys as pets must abide by. At the time of that 2012 letter, Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee all have partial bans on owning monkeys. These bans make it illegal to own monkeys, but not monkeys. Tennessee residents can have any type of monkey except a baboon, and monkeys are not allowed. In Arizona, all monkeys are allowed, but monkeys are not. In Indiana, you can have monkeys and great apes, but you must have a permit for monkeys. Mississippi allows all monkeys except baboons and macaques and prohibits all types of monkeys.

Florida and Texas allow some types of monkeys but ban others. These laws are evolutionary, so check your own state`s statutes if you`re considering having a monkey as a pet. Some states allow monkeys as pets, but have restrictions on the types of monkeys you can have, the types of monkeys you can have, and the types of permits and insurance you must keep up to date to comply with applicable laws. Oregon, Idaho, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Delaware allow monkeys, but you`ll need to contact their wildlife departments to get permits that may or may not be granted. In Hawaii, you can have a monkey as long as you`re fully connected. Laws are constantly changing; It is important that you always check with your state authorities before seriously considering getting a monkey as a pet. Joey is a capuchin who was taken out of the wild in South America at the age of just three months and traded as a pet. The name “Capuchins” comes from their resemblance to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, a group of friars who wore brown robes with large hoods. Capuchins are black, brown, brown or white, but the colors and patterns vary by species.

Most capuchins kept in captivity are dark brown with a white face and neck. No matter how much you love your monkey and how welcoming it seems, always remember that it is a wild animal. Aggressive behavior in capuchins occurs quite often, even in older monkeys that had never shown such tendencies. The American Veterinary Medical Association warns that monkeys are natural hosts of herpes B, which can cause deadly encephalomyelitis in humans. Monkeys also often develop latent infections for life that can be transmitted to humans through scratches and bites. Connecticut has a grandfathering system for all monkeys that belonged prior to 1/10/2010, but no longer allows permits. In Illinois, residents can only own a capuchin monkey if they have a service or permanent motor disability.