Buying a Marmoset Monkey
- Ashley Duncan
- Jun 30, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 5
If you are serious about buying a marmoset monkey start here for straight forward information. My name is Ashley Duncan, I have been raising marmosets since 1999 when I first worked with them as a keeper in San Antonio Texas. Over the years I have raised dozens of babies and successfully sent them off to all types of homes and other professional animal places. I have seen and heard the worst and the best about owning and raising marmosets.
It is important to consider that owning a pet marmoset is a serious and decades long investment in time and money and not all flowers and rainbows, and the baby is a living being that will require many years of dedication from you and immediate family members in the house. Marmosets are not toys and will require a mature understanding and dedication much like having a human child.
Where to buy a marmoset monkey?
You want to buy a marmoset monkey from a breeder, and pick it up from them only (do not use a transport service) once the baby is fully weaned and with everything you need to get started. It is best to get the marmoset already fully weaned onto solid foods. An experienced breeder can do this, and you can and should insist on this.
Never buy a marmoset monkey from a pet store- No proper training and very high pricing, pet stores are not reliable as a resource for the life of your monkey. Only buy from a breeder who has adults at their place.
Where is the best place to buy a marmoset monkey?
With the internet full of scammers we have compiled a list of active breeders that we have personal knowledge. This list is complied of breeders all over the USA, and it is 100% scam free made up of actual breeders with their phone number.
Do not buy a monkey unless it is in person, and do not send money without research! Read my blog on Avoiding Scams
You should obtain your marmoset monkey when they have reached special milestones including eating on their own. Handfeeding an infant marmoset is 100% not for beginners. A great breeder would not let our babies go before they have reached all important milestones, an inexperienced breeder will sell you a baby that is still on formula only. It takes weeks of training and developing babies into socially and physically healthy marmosets. Many breeders sell their babies much too early, affecting their behavior which can lead to frustration as the marmosets become adults. I have seen this happen many times.
When selecting a breeder, we suggest one that breeds a small number of babies each year to ensure proper care for the parents and any offspring that are born. Marmosets take so much time and special care. Especially if the breeder has other animal species to tend to. Breeders can become overwhelmed and miss out on important needs that each marmoset monkey requires.
Buying a Marmoset Monkey
What comes with the marmoset monkey?
Each breeder is different, but typically you would get starter supplies including food and comfort items like a blanket or stuffed animals. Follow their instructions and take the supplies they provide, ask before you pick up exactly what comes with the baby. If your breeder doesn't supply these things you will need to be prepared before the baby comes home.
What age do marmosets get adopted out?
Be careful getting a baby too young, they require specialized care and hand-feedings that can be fatal if not done by a professional. The key milestone to want is to have the baby weaned, this needs to be taught by the mother marmoset. It is extremely hard for a human to teach a marmoset how to eat and what to eat properly. This is a huge problem in the marmoset community. Insist on a weaned baby from your breeder.
Handfeeding is very time consuming, and costs breeders weekly to keep up with this. Poor breeders try to sell them and send them home early to avoid continuous feedings, even through the night. They are extremely delicate and can aspirate easily.
What is the buying experience like?
Once you have found the breeder you want to go with, schedule your pickup time and date. NEVER buy a marmoset over the internet to be "shipped", always pickup in person.
Make time to spend at their home or establishment to go over all the particulars in person.
Once you take your baby home, refer back to your breeder with any and all questions. Do not go on google or social media accounts for further instructions. Disrupting the set schedule, feeding routine, or other specifics provided by your breeder can be FATAL. Yes, they are that delicate.
How do I know if a marmoset is right for me?
Marmosets are cute, but they are not for everyone or every household. Many households change culture, habits, schedules, and more when bringing a new marmoset home. I normally talk prospective owners out of a marmoset because of their particulars.
Several factors make owning a marmoset harder than normal.
First, are children in the home? A marmoset is an adult's pet, they are not for children to play with or be around. Marmies are small, delicate, and can be very quick. Marmosets recognize that children are smaller and will behave differently around them, babies can seem playful but an adult marmoset will become aggressive towards children. Marmies get anxious when children are being kids, running screaming, and causing disturbances. This is not a good environment for marmosets. They thrive in quiet households that are routine and have one or two regular adults living in the home.
Obedience and training are a huge part of bonding with your marmoset monkey
if you are gone all day long for work you will lose out on important time, this will cause behavior issues if you want a monkey to be very interactive with you.
A baby marmoset requires a day similar to toddlers, they wake up and eat their breakfast. Followed by morning cleaning, morning walk, and socialization. Lunch is given and then nap time. After a nap, it's more socializing, playtime, and then alone time before dinner. After dinner, they get tucked into bed for sleep time.
Marmoset Monkeys have an odor
The smell is another factor, all monkeys are stinky. Even tiny marmosets. They will mark on things and will not be helpful in keeping your house clean. They can get regular baths and that does help, but the bathing time would be another training aspect to add onto the baby bonding.
Where and how can I interact with a marmoset in person to help me decide?
Unfortunately, interacting with adult marmosets will not give you a great idea of what you can expect when they are living with you and integrated into your home. Marmosets do not like strangers and are aggressive with new people. If you are hoping you can take your marmoset to work on your shoulder every day, this is not a good idea, as they will soon become aggressive with visitors and any changes in routine.
Marmosets are sometimes at your local zoo, you won't be able to hold one there but you can go and see their bodies and some behaviors in person.
Watching videos of other marmosets in other families' homes is very helpful, it will give you the best insight into what you can expect. Keep in mind that marms are products of their environment, you cannot and should not expect your marm to behave the same way you see others online, they have all been raised differently.
Contact Ashley at 210-241-1856 for Marmosets for sale
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button.
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button.