Capuchin monkeys
require play and mental stimulation.
Capuchin monkeys are illegal to own in many counties and states, with many bans in process as of May 2011. That being said, if you own a Capuchin monkey it's important to know care for it. Capuchin monkeys crave play and attention. Creating indoor and outdoor cages will allow you to move your monkey back and forth and minimize its tendency to get bored.
Instructions
Primate Housing
1. Capuchin monkeys enjoy branches, trees and leaves in captivity.
Purchase at least two large primate cages, one for indoor use and one for outdoor use. The cages need to be as large as possible. Capuchin monkeys should be at least 6 feet tall.
2. Place a primate cage heater outside the outdoor cage. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Install lock systems on your cages. The cages can never be secure enough. Capuchin monkeys can use their hands like a human and they will be able to find keys and open a cage door with them. Use locks that require combinations or use locks in conjunction with one another. Install more than one lock on each cage door and use baby locks on ovens, house doors, window sills, knife drawers and medicine cabinets.
4. Put branches, leaves and flooring in both cages. Larger indoor cage floors can be cement or linoleum. Some cages have wire bottoms, creating an easier way to rake up droppings. Add a bush or a climbing tree to the outdoor cage, as well as swings, platforms, rocks and a small pond. This is where size becomes important. In the inside cage, the monkey will need swings, tires to play in, a wooden nest box, coconut shells, unbreakable mirrors so it won't feel alone, ladders, baby toys and plastic pipes. Change the environment often. Switch the toys around and offer new items for the monkey to explore.
5. Clean indoor cages weekly with a mild disinfectant. Clean the nest box and cage at different times. Do not sterilize the cage and nest box at the same time; the primate needs to have a scent in its environment.
6. Replicate natural sunlight by using Vita-Lites if you do not have an outdoor cage. Primates need unfiltered sunlight because of their need for Vitamin D-3 for skeletal growth.
Capuchin Diet
7. Proper diets and non-toxic plants can keep a Capuchin healthy.
Feed your Capuchin 1 to 3 oz. of a commercial primate diet, such as Zupreem or Science Diet, cut into small pieces in the morning. Feed the monkey 10 to 12 pieces of New World Monkey Biscuit, such as Purina or Spectrum.
8. Place lettuce mix in a chopper and chop it into long, thin pieces. This mix should consist of Romaine lettuce, cabbage and celery. Feed the Capuchin 1 1/2 tbsp. of the chopped lettuce mix, mixed with 1 tbsp. of sunflower seeds, a 1-inch piece of chopped carrot, four snow peas and 1 tbsp. of diced orange. Halve two grapes and two slices of a banana. Soak four primate biscuits in orange juice. Toss eight peanuts into the salad mix with 1/2 slice of sweet potato, chopped. Add 1/8 slice of whole wheat bread, cubed. Feed this meal to the monkey 3 days a week.
9. Feed the monkey hard-boiled eggs, cauliflower, corn, meal worms, crickets and grasshoppers. Ask your veterinarian about other dietary needs.
10. Offer vitamin supplements to your Capuchin, according to your veterinarian's instructions.
Tags: Capuchin monkeys, outdoor cage, cage door, Feed monkey, indoor outdoor