Exotic pet keepers all have at least one dream pet. Something we can probably never have, but if we could, there would be no hesitation. For me, it’s a lion: I want to befriend a lion so badly it’s unreal!
One exotic pet mom is living the dream… kind of. On Thursday, March 7th, she posted a video of her trying to fix bottles while her monkeys help. As cute as they are, help is probably a strong word:
@madlovesripleyI think this was the most chaotic one yet😭 *no formula was wasted*
Madeline and her monkeys could totally crush a team cooking challenge (if the only objective was to have a good time). Her patience is amazing!
Related: Marmoset Monkey Getting a Pup Cup at the Drive-Thru Is Making Everyone Smile
Madeline has two monkeys: Oliver and Oakley. They’re not her first, though: her oldest, Ripley, passed away just before she got these boys. After years of owning monkeys, she’s gained tons of experience and is fully licensed to care for them. According to her, they have their own room in her house and are never caged, have plenty of access to the outside, and go for regular vet checkups.
Right now, the boys are being bottle-fed using regular baby formula. It’s high-calorie and contains all the necessary nutrients, so they’ll be eating that for as long as they would be nursing in the wild (which can stretch into several years). They also wear diapers, since Capuchins are known to mark their territory frequently. These boys were purchased from a breeder as babies; they aren’t from a rescue, and people all over her comments section take extreme issue with that. They worry that, even if she is providing a wonderful, loving home… she’s contributing to the problem.
Five reasons you probably shouldn’t get a monkey
Exotic pet keepers will be the first to tell you that you probably shouldn’t get what they have, and Madeline is no exception. Though she shares her journey owning Capuchins, she also says she doesn’t condone people getting them. Even though monkeys are all over TV shows and often seen as quirky and fun pets, you probably should steer clear because:
- They’re a lot to handle. They’re like toddlers that never grow up.
- They need immense amounts of space and a very specific diet to thrive.
- They can be incredibly aggressive.
- They usually don’t get along well with other animals.
- Most monkey breeders are unethical and contribute directly to illegal animal trafficking.
Most states require you to have a license to own a monkey, and some places make it downright illegal. A lot of monkey breeders buy their monkeys directly from illegal traffickers, and those monkeys are kept in terrible conditions, like in small cages with several other monkeys. Babies are taken from their mothers far too early (for example, Capuchins usually spend years with their mothers after birth) and almost always require bottle-feeding. Primates form strong bonds to their young, so it can all be very traumatic for the mother.
Madeline has a couple of happy monkeys, but she’s the exception. If you’re considering getting a monkey, you should spend a long time researching proper care before even looking for an animal, and if you can’t rescue one, you’re better off just getting another pet.
