Marmoset monkeys

Forget the urine! I'm surprised no one has mentioned how often primates touch themselves! They're famous for touching themselves as often as possible, whether they're alone or in a room full of company. I've worked with howling monkeys and other primates in Costa Rica and they're horrible - they pretty much are the worst of people wrapped up in a little strong, tempermental, and sharp-toothed package.

I don't want children ever either, but I think a pet monkey would be much worse still! Especially if you're childfree for freedom reasons.
 
Forget the urine! I'm surprised no one has mentioned how often primates touch themselves! They're famous for touching themselves as often as possible, whether they're alone or in a room full of company. I've worked with howling monkeys and other primates in Costa Rica and they're horrible - they pretty much are the worst of people wrapped up in a little strong, tempermental, and sharp-toothed package.

I don't want children ever either, but I think a pet monkey would be much worse still! Especially if you're childfree for freedom reasons.

You are so right! The advice about spending time around someone else's pet monkey is really spot on. I used to work for a semi-retired woman who kept spider monkeys and occasionally marmosets. She knew what she was doing but the amount of attention, patience, space, challenging enrichment, and yes, unusual medical support (many vets won't treat primates due to disease and injury risk), required was incredible. Here not only do you have a naturally highly active creature confined, you have one that is intelligent enough to throw tantrums, hold grudges, panic attack, fret, mourn and be miserable if left alone at all rolled into one. In some ways it was like trying to keep a human child caged unless it was physically attached to you. I found I didn't like most of her animals' personalities...only one or two were predictably gentle most of the time. You have to read their moods constantly to avoid injury. If monkey isn't happy ain't nobody happy!

I think I'd rather befriend someone else's primate that has a huge free ranging enclosure for stimulation and release of frustration, and have the option to spend time with it, than take one on entirely.
 
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