Monkeys as Surrogate Children

It is not uncommon to hear of monkeys as surrogate children. Many couples who cannot have children or couples who have grown children that have left the nest opt for having pet monkeys. Many say that pet monkeys feel like having a child. Monkeys as surrogate children end up filling a void on people's lives. This is usually a psychological void. Many times baby monkeys are thought to resemble small children or babies; they are also very affectionate, perfect for people who need the affection, are lonely, or are depressed and need something to care for and that will give their lives some measure of meaning and/or companionship. These are some of the reasons why people might use baby monkeys as surrogate children.

Many times, monkeys that are cute as babies and behave like children looking for attention and love, change their behavior as they grow up and age - they become monkeys, what nature had intended them to be. Some will display territorial or aggressive behavior towards one person, or both owners. Many times, these monkeys will end up in zoos or animal rescue sanctuaries. Many behavioral problems will include attacking, biting, scratching, or hitting pet owners.

Many animal behaviorists and specialists call this attempt to have monkeys as surrogate children, insane and irresponsible behavior on the part of humans. Most of the time, the animals end up suffering or put to sleep, due to the lack of information on the part of the owners - information about behavioral problems when monkeys mature, usually around two or three years of age. Many incidents would have been avoided if the pet owners had bothered to learn or look for the help of a professional.

Baby monkeys are not designed to be in cages or left alone, it is unnatural. Many individuals are not aware that when baby monkeys mature and become sexually active they will show some behavioral problems; humans are unable to fill those needs. Other people would go to the extreme of mutilating an animal - removing uterus, ovaries, sexual organs, and canine teeth - just to have the perfect and ideal docile child, which never happens in most cases. Many of these poor animals end up at sanctuaries, zoos, or in worst cases in laboratories, to be used for research.

Many people will dress monkeys as they will dress a child. They will buy them toys, bottle-feed them, and treat them as babies or toddlers. Many of these monkeys will be uncomfortable in clothing, and hot, due to their different body temperatures. Many that are fed an unnatural diet will grow obese, develop diabetes, and tooth decay. This is unlikely to be good parenting, despite the honest attempts from monkey owners.

Although not all cases of monkeys as surrogate children end up in a sour note, most of them end up in some kind of disappointment. This is because the need for having a child has not been met by the animal, as naturally expected - then, leaving the couple or individual disappointed. Before deciding to adopt a monkey as a child, learn as much about the species, as not all species are the same, and educate yourself. Follow your city or states rules on keeping exotic animals as well. For more information on monkeys as pet visit petmonkey.info.