by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: September 12, 2009

Spider monkeys are one of the more popular wild animals that people want to acquire for household pets. They are also one of the more difficult for two reasons. First of all, they are wild animals and have natural instincts that no amount of training can completely take away. Second, they are extremely smart and can cause many problems to the owner who is not prepared to contend with this level of intelligence in a pet.

*Danger

Because the spider monkey, whether a pet or not, is still a wild animal, there is a higher risk of them returning to their natural instincts than those animals that are common family pets. There are countless numbers of reports in which wild animals made into pets have suddenly attacked their owners or someone else, causing serious injury, or even death. The spider monkey may be relatively small, but they are extremely strong and have very sharp teeth. They also will slap, scratch, and pull hair.

*Odor

Unless you are prepared to clean the housing of the spider monkey very frequently, there will be a strong odor that will permeate your home. The monkey itself will also smell unpleasant if not kept clean itself and in a clean habitat.

*Cost

The cost of keeping a spider monkey will be more than just the upfront price of the animal. There will be costs associated with acquiring the proper housing, vet care, food and other supplies. You may also need to take some classes regarding proper care and/or behavioral training for the animal.

*Behavior

Spider monkeys do not tend to be mean, per se, but they are prone to temper tantrums and fits. They are also quite vocal when they don't get their way or when they are feeling ignored. Many spider monkeys have a penchant for sexual behavior and may do things that are quite inappropriate.

*Time

Spider monkeys take a lot of time to care for properly. They will need time for their cleaning, socializing, training, and playtime. If you are not prepared to provide adequate time and supervision, the spider monkey can become very destructive and ill-mannered.

Although many people see spider monkeys in the zoo or on television shows and think that they would make great pets, this is usually not the case. Wild animals are meant to be free and among other animals. They are not meant to be caged for the enjoyment and entertainment of humans.

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