Marmosets For Sale

Marmoset Monkeys are a small, but highly intelligent species of monkey that are kept as exotic pets and often for medical research. They are complex creatures that have a lot of specific requirements that make it nearly impossible to replicate their natural habitat and stimuli. They are well known for their distinct musky odor they use to differentiate one another and their foul smelling urine they use to mark their territories, a trait that can be tamed with diligent training. Keeping a Marmoset is like having a child. They live to be up to 18 years of age in captivity and require constant attention in the form of exercise, activities, and training.

Pet Marmoset

Marmoset monkeys are native to South America mostly, but due to their over population in the pet trade, can be found all over the world. The most experienced keepers can breed them, but breeding more Marmosets is not recommended. Their overpopulation is much like that of the overpopulation of dogs and cats not being cared for. Marmosets require much more, and once made captive, cannot be released in the wild to fend for themselves.

Cute and docile for the first few months Marmosets are bottle fed, they reach sexual maturity around 18-24 months and act more like human teenagers; unpredictable, hungry for attention, and aggressive if they do not get it. In the wild, Marmoset are emotional creatures that fulfill their needs within groups. Housing a Marmoset alone in a cage would be setting your keeping up for failure. Even if you give him/her a partner, you will be expected to spend 90% of its waking hours with it during its maturity. When a Marmoset feels emotionally neglected, it will let out high pitched shrills and shrieks, become destructive, and even may bite or scratch itself for attention.

One way to give them sufficient brain stimulation is to provide them lots of obstacles and toys in their cages. Things like ladders, tunnels, slides, mirrors, hammocks, and plants will give them things to do with their time. Their cages should be cleaned frequently and requires a heat lamp. Their quick-to-bore personalities play into their diets as well. Canned Marmoset food and biscuits are common, but the Marmoset get bored quickly of the same foods and will require you switch it up for them. They enjoy many human foods such as fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, eggs, fish and meat. Since their brain stimulation is one of the most important factors of their care, providing them with meal worm and bugs twice per weak will hold their attention for some time. Crickets and grasshoppers will suffice.

Like humans, Marmoset easily contract colds and viruses, even HIV and other “human disease” so its important to exercise the same caution with them as you would your entire family. You can do this by keeping your monkey and its habitat clean, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding cross contamination. If your monkey requires taking medication to get well after exposure to a virus, it can be distracted by marshmallows. Keeping Marmoset requires a special legal permit and one of the most significant requirements is having a primate specific veterinarian close by.

It's important to recognize that Marmoset never have been and never will be fully domesticated, no matter the level of training and affection given. They are wild animals, removed, and usually require too much time, money, and patience for those who consider keeping them. The right thing to do is prepare for your Marmoset with adequate research and making a commitment to your choice once made.