Are you looking for a new inexpensive hobby that will distract you from your career-focused and busy life? How about getting a new pet? A goldfish may be a little too overrated. A dog or cat may be a little harder to maintain.
How about a monkey? A finger monkey!
Now if you are up to and convinced to keep one, you might be asking, “How much does a finger monkey cost?”
Popularly called finger monkeys, also known as pocket monkeys, or pygmy marmosets with a scientific name (Cebuella pygmaea) are one of the few species allowed by the government to live as a domestic pet in some states in the US. So, do you really want to have one as your pet? Well, if you do, then I tell you, my friend, read this article till the end for you to find out some details, facts, and information about this little creature. More importantly, you will know how much does finger monkey cost, and where can we possibly buy it.
Finger Monkey Purchasing Market Price/Value.
Since pocket monkey is holding the record as the smallest monkey in the world, weighing only around of 3.5 ounces or 100 grams and only about 5”-6” in size (as a baby), the market value of this tiny creature is a little bit expensive but I should say reasonable. Why? Mainly because it is a rare and exotic animal and the fact that it came from far jungles outside the USA.
Today, pygmy marmoset’s price ranges from $1500 to $6000. The costs of finger monkeys depend on some factors such as size, age, condition, gender, shipping cost, breeder etc.
Aside from the monkey, there are also additional or extra costs which are necessary to keep the animal healthy and comfortable. You can see them in details below.
Additional Costs For Pocket Monkey’s Basic Needs.
- Cage – depending on the size, quality, and material, cages will cost around $150 – $400. It can be bought at the Poggis Animal House, Janda Exotics, or in some pet shops near you. You may also order online by visiting their official websites. And, for more information about the store, you will find it below, so just continue reading.
- Food – when it comes to food, they eat vegetables, fruits, cooked meats or rice, and even insects. Pet shops also sell live crickets for $17 – $30 per 250 pieces. In an average, this animal can consume around $35 – $75 worth of food every month.
- Harness/Rope – Since pocket monkeys are leased trained pet, a rope will be needed; this can be purchased for $10.
- Veterinary care – just like any other pets or animals, pocket monkeys need medical care and attention as well. The fee for every visit is around $100 – $200.
Good thing, most sellers or pet shops include a free cage along with the starter kit to help new owners in taking good care of their pet and keeping them healthy.
However, if you have extra amount of money to spend, here are some additional items that you might purchase for your pet:
- Hammocks – $20-$40
- Diaper and covers – $5-$20
- Clothing – $5-$20
- Toys – $5-$10
As promised here are some of the popular pet shops or stores in US that sell pocket monkeys. Actually, there are a lot of physical stores in your area that you can check out, or you may just want to go online to do the shopping. Anyway, check out the list below:
- Poggis Animal House
Address: 11365 Earnest Blvd, Davie, FL 33325, United States
Phone: +1 954-708-9441
Hours Open: 7AM–7PM
Website: http://www.poggisanimalhouse.com
- PetSmart
Address: 1424 Mercantile Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States
Phone: +1 505-341-2431
Hours Open: 10AM–7PM
Website: www.petsmart.com
- Janda Exotics Pets
Address: San Marcos, TX, United States
Phone:+1 210-241-1856
Website: www.jandaexotics.com
Other Purchase Options
If you do not want to spend too much, then you might want to ask for discounts. If you are friends with the owner of the pet store, that would be a good strategical move. Also, you can be on the lookout for clearance or payday sales. But if you cannot find any reasonable deals anywhere, then you can just ask for discounts on specific supplies like the cage and the wood perches.
Another good idea to consider would be buying it from a professional breeder. This poses a lot of advantages, because you will be secured that the finger monkey you will get is safe and in good condition. And since this is a personal transaction, you will also be free to make your own arrangements like if you want it delivered to your home and if you want legal turnover papers.
If in case convenience is your best interest, then you may do an online purchase. This is also the best option if you are busy and do not have much time to go out and visit the stores. All you need is a fast Internet connection and a reliable online shopping store.
Some Facts About Pocket Monkeys That You Might Want To Know.
- Do you know that 83% of the finger monkeys live in a group which is composed of usually 6 – 9 members with male and female together?
- They can bear up to 4 succeeding litters of babies and its period of pregnancy is about 114 – 190 days.
- Their extinction is not really an alarming concern right now, because of its high birth rate. But, we should not abuse it until the time comes that they become extinct.
- The mortality rate of finger monkeys is only down to 25% because most of their babies either fall from the nest or fall off the body when they are traveling.
- Their average lifespan is 12 – 18 years. And records show that it has a longer lifespan in captive rather than on the wild.
- They can rotate their heads 180 degrees and can jump up to 15 feet into the air.
- Pocket monkeys also communicate using their physical gestures and trills.
- Their tail is actually longer that its body which is 6 – 7 inches.
- An adult or a full grown pocket monkeys can weigh up to 4 ounces; equivalent to a stick of butter.
- They can jump up to 15 feet into the air.
So, if you really wanted to have pocket monkeys as your pet, then here are some important things you need to check out first.
- First, check the regulations within your state, because in South America, for example, it is illegal to have pocket monkeys as a pet. Better be safe than ends up in jail, right?
- Next, you will need to have a license to own one of them as a pet.
- Finally, take a precaution in planning to raise them as a pet, because like humans, they also get mad when hungry or irritated , which could make them aggressive and might attack you.
Once all those items are checked, then you’re good to go. You can then go ahead and purchase it. However, you might be asking to get a discount in the pygmy marmoset’s price, well, unfortunately, discounts do not usually apply when it comes to the cost of the finger monkey, because of the fact that it is rare and exotic, plus it comes for the jungles of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia which are places far from the US. However, pet shops and pet supply stores offer discounts or sales on some of their items from time to time. Those items can be very useful in taking care of your pocket monkeys. So, you may visit one near you.
Taking care of animals is not easy, especially if it is rare and exotic like the pocket monkeys. It is a tedious task that needs dedication, love, patience, hard work etc. Keeping them as a pet is going to be a difficult task and a continuous challenge. So I guess, the answer to the question; how much does finger monkey cost, is not just in terms of the amount of money you are going to spend, but it also must include how much care you can give to the animal in order for it to be healthy, comfortable and happy to its new home.