Ok, I know this isn't a tarantula but I know some of you keep/have kept different exotic pets. Has anyone ever handled one of these? My father just bought me a baby Cotton Top Marmoset and he's bringing it to me tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect out of these. I've read up on them a bit (well, for the last 30minutes since I just found out) but does anyone have any personal experience with primates? :O I'm kind of nervous...
Marmosets?
- Thread starter dannax
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Thats awesome. Your dad bought you a living social animal as a present that neither you nor he have ANY idea how to care for in either a physical or emotional sense. I would do your homework well and find a rehabber to take it off your hands in a few months.
My brief professional experience with non human primates is that they can be difficult to care for properly in a zoo setting and it can border on animal abuse in a private one. They are social animals that need to be in groups. They have specifiic dietary needs (I am unaware of Cotton Top Tamarin diets as I have not cared for them yet). and will need plenty of space, not just a cage. They also require lots of physical and mental stimulation to basically stop from going stir crazy. I would implore your father to take it back
My brief professional experience with non human primates is that they can be difficult to care for properly in a zoo setting and it can border on animal abuse in a private one. They are social animals that need to be in groups. They have specifiic dietary needs (I am unaware of Cotton Top Tamarin diets as I have not cared for them yet). and will need plenty of space, not just a cage. They also require lots of physical and mental stimulation to basically stop from going stir crazy. I would implore your father to take it back
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Yeh, dannax, nothing against you man but they are high maintenance and if they catch a cold it could kill them. Primates are susceptible to every sickness we get and vice versa. I've worked for zoos for years and primates are tough to deal with, unless you have the facilities and veterinary experts. 
Yeah.. I'm trying to work that out. I don't know why he would do this! I've already called him to tell him it may not be such a good idea. When he first told me, I was kind of excited but then realized that it's just a great responsibility. Hopefully, he'll be able to return in and get his money back. :\ He made a mistake trying to do something nice. I give him credit, but I wonder what he was thinking....
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That and when kept in solitary confinement they go nuts and get violent and unmanageable. Even a squirrel sized primate can do horrendous damage to you in a few seconds, and they like to go for the eyes. And primate bites pretty much get infected immediately. I can keep listing why it shouldn't be a pet for a while, hopefully I won't have to.Yeh, dannax, nothing against you man but they are high maintenance and if they catch a cold it could kill them. Primates are susceptible to every sickness we get and vice versa. I've worked for zoos for years and primates are tough to deal with. Unless you have the facilities and veterinary experts.
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good call, like Hedorah and I stated, the cons waaay out do the pros.
There was a recent thing on TV about people that keep primates, and there were a ton of cases where they were kept very well (huge rooms devoted to the animal and designed specifically to meet its needs, hours a day spent playing with it, very particular diet, etc etc) and still a lot of them eventually got frustrated and at some point attacked the owner, causing serious injury.
Other owners mutilated the animals because certain aspects of primate behavior are too pesky to deal with.
IMO these are not animals that should be kept as pets under any circumstance.
Other owners mutilated the animals because certain aspects of primate behavior are too pesky to deal with.
IMO these are not animals that should be kept as pets under any circumstance.
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You're doing the right thing telling him to take this back, primates can do HORRENDOUS amounts of damage for their size to any animal in reach, and they can be destructive, filthy, angry critters.
There's just absolutely no way to house a primate without cruelty and pain to both the primate and any humans/other household pets unless you're, like, part of a zoo or research facility or something.
There's just absolutely no way to house a primate without cruelty and pain to both the primate and any humans/other household pets unless you're, like, part of a zoo or research facility or something.
Oof. Just seconding everything else that's already been said and to wish you good luck dealing with your dad. You might also want to give your local humane society a call to see if they've got any suggestions for what to do if your dad can't/won't take it back.
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I was under the impression you need a license to own a Marmoset...
Am I mistaken? Is this a 'state by state' basis?
Am I mistaken? Is this a 'state by state' basis?
I will know tomorrow if he's able to return it. I'm sure he would be. I don't know about a license or anything, I just know he has it I don't really even like dogs because they're too much to deal with. I don't like animals that I have to really be very concerned with. I'm far too busy with work and school to deal with taking a dog out and being social with it. Animals with emotions aren't for me. The thought of having a monkey is very cool, until you read about them.
I would assume, he will have no problem taking it back. Whether or not he gets a complete refund is another thing. From what I read on that website, they are not very cheap. Surely, any dealer would understand but you never know.
I don't really even like dogs because they're too much to deal with. I don't like animals that I have to really be very concerned with. I'm far too busy with work and school to deal with taking a dog out and being social with it. Animals with emotions aren't for me. The thought of having a monkey is very cool, until you read about them.I would assume, he will have no problem taking it back. Whether or not he gets a complete refund is another thing. From what I read on that website, they are not very cheap. Surely, any dealer would understand but you never know.
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I'm not completely sure if 'he has it' is referring to the license or marmoset...I will know tomorrow if he's able to return it. I'm sure he would be. I don't know about a license or anything, I just know he has it
But I think you're doing the right thing.
Few people realize that potentially illegal or exotic animals, if confiscated, are more likely to be put down than not. (I also would NOT advice calling your local humane society, as they probably have little to no knowledge on exotic animals such as this, and would not know how to care for the animal anymore than you would. This also potentially puts an animal at a higher risk for euthansia, or a cage for the rest of its life. Not to belittle humane societies but few have knowledge over anything more than cats,dogs, and small mammals.)
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Not in Texas. The majority of wild animals are pretty much available without a license, unless things have changed since i last checked all this.
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I think they are tightening up though in Tex. Texas has the most exotic big cat population as well, and you didn't use to need a venomous permit either but now I believe you do.
When I lived there you could have anything with out a permit.
I know its illegal in Florida to own one without a license. I hate to see parents give their kids pets without first consulting with them, ESPECIALLY something like a monkey! Its very irresponsible and now you just have to hope that where ever he got it, will accept it back.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!