Baby and Juvenile Care

Nutrition
ALL OF OUR BABIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LEMURS, ARE FED NESTLE GOODSTART BABY FORMULA MIXED WITH GERBER RICE CEREAL IN THE JAR(WITH OR WITHOUT APPLESAUCE). WE USE 2 PARTS GOODSTART AND ONE PART RICE CEREAL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE THE ONE IN THE JAR BECAUSE POWDERED RICE CEREAL CAN CLOG THE NIPPLE AND INCREASE THE CHANCES OF ASPIRATION. WE OFFER OUR BABIES SOFT FRUIT, VEGGIES, COOKED RICE AND PASTA ON A DAILY BASIS IN ADDITION TO THE BOTTLE. OUR BABIES ARE USUALLY EATING EVERY THREE TO FOUR HOURS WHEN WE PLACE THEM INTO NEW HOMES. THE FIRST FEEDING IS AT 7AM THE LAST ONE IS 11PM. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHICH FEEDING SCHEDULE TO USE BEFORE WE SHIP.
AS THE BABY STARTS EATING MORE SOLID FOOD, YOU CAN DECREASE THE FREQUENCY OF THE BOTTLE FEEDING. I LIKE TO KEEP THEM ON ONE OR TWO BOTTLE FEEDINGS A DAY UNTIL THEY ARE A YEAR OLD. (JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO GROW PROPERLY.) (This may vary depending on species).

JUST AS WITH HUMAN CHILDREN, NUTRITION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GROWING PRIMATES. WE RECOMMEND A DIET BASED ON COMMERCIALLY PREPARED MONKEY CHOW AND FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES( in between bottle feedings). PRIMATES ARE OMNIVOURS, MEANING THAT LIKE HUMANS THEY CONSUME PLANT MATERIAL AND SOME ANIMAL PROTEIN. JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS GOOD FOR HUMANS IS GOOD FOR PRIMATES. THAT MEANS NO JUNK FOOD!!! AVOID FOODS CONTAINING HIGH AMOUNTS OF FAT AND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR. Keep the diet balanced and healthy.

MONKEY CHOW SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL PET OR FEED STORE. YOU MAY HAVE TO SPECIAL ORDER IT. WE RECOMMEND ZUPREEM, MAZURI, OR LAB DIET BRANDS. HERE ARE LINKS TO THEIR WEBSITES.
 
 
 

The Importance of Stimulation in Infant and Adolescent Primates

All baby primates spend the first year or so of their lives holding on to their mothers while they forage for food. Just as with human babies they need constant attention and affection. If the baby's needs for contact from another being are not met, it can lead to severe psychological problems as the baby matures. Studies have proven that infant primates who do not receive enough stimulation ( holding, grooming, and contact from a mother figure)as babies usually end up being disturbed adults. Some abnormal behaviors that may arise in primates deprived of stimulation as babies include masturbation, self biting, self clasping, eye poking, thumb sucking, and rocking. If you do not have the time to provide a baby primate with this vital stimulation, perhaps a monkey is not for you. Always provide a stuffed animal that the baby can cling to as it would it's mother when you are away. This makes them feel secure. I recommend using two bears that are very similar in case one needs to be washed. You should never think that the teddy bear is enough. They are inanimate objects and do not provide the motion and grooming that are required for psychological well being. Be prepared to do house work with a monkey on your leg or shoulder. Primates are social animals and do not like to be left alone. In the event that you must go away, have a designated babysitter that the monkey knows well to provide care and company in your absence.

Enrichment
It is important to provide primates with a stimulating environment. This can be achieved by the use of cage furnishings, toys (that are toddler safe), and a varied diet. Primates are much more intelligent than a dog or a cat it is important to challenge them mentally by use of puzzle feeders and other enrichment devices. Ideas for enrichment can be obtained from the magazine The Shape of Enrichment. To subscribe please click on link below.
 
 
 

Shape of Enrichment

Here at Rainforest, we take a natural approach to enrichment. We try to increase the amount of time our primates spend foraging for food. Primates in the wild spend a majority of their time looking for food. To try and duplicate wild behavior, we always feed twice a day and provide some type of foraging foods in between. We even grow palm nuts that are eaten by wild Java Macaques, to feed to our macaques. We also make our enclosures as large as possible and provide shelves, benches, swings, natural branches, barrels, and swimming tubs in summer. Our program is continuously evolving as we think of or here about new ideas. Always consult your vet when trying new enrichment items.
 
 
 

Training

Training primates can be a challenging, but with consistency and patients it can be achieved . Primates are nearly impossible to house train so get used to changing diapers. Most primates come to grasp the meaning of a firm NO! The trick is to use no before the monkey makes the mistake, as a preventative. If you scream no after the fact and make a spectacle of yourself, you may actually strengthen the behavior you are trying to stop. If you over use the word you may get no response at all. We do not recommend hitting or biting primates ever.

Positive reinforcement is the best route to take in training. A monkey who trust you is more likely to do what you want it to do. Monkeys aren't the best students, so keep training sessions short for best results. They also bore quickly, so try to keep training session interesting for the monkey.

All primate owners should have an understanding of primate behavior. If you know more about your animal chances are they will grow up to be more stable and well adjusted. There is a recommended reading list on the Species Info page of this site. Reconciliation is important in primate societies and nearly every squabble among groups of primates is followed by grooming as a way to ease the tension of the situation and to reinforce bonds among group members. So after scolding reassure your monkey. You must be consistent with primates. When they are babies it might be cute for them to jump on the dinner table, but as adults it won't be so cute. Keep in mind they will grow. Do not allow a baby to do things that you wouldn't want an adult to do. Breaking bad habits later in the primates development will be much more of a challenge than correcting it as a baby or juvenile. This will only cause confusion and frustration in your monkey.

Make Sure Your Monkey Knows That It is a Monkey
Although monkeys are similar to humans, they have their own ways of communicating and social structures. It is a good idea to socialize your young primate with other primates as often as possible. If you don't know of any primate owners in your area please let us know and we will try to find one near you. Primates who aren't exposed to others of their kind may have difficulty adjusting to life with other primates. If you decide to get another monkey, there could be problems if the monkey has never been exposed to it's own kind. It will also be difficult to place the primate in the event that you can no longer keep the primate. We strongly recommend play dates with other primates. Primates are not humans; it really isn't fair to try and make them think they are.
 
 
 

Adult Care

The adult primate diet should consist of monkey chow and fresh fruits and veggies. You can give them anything that isn't too fatty or contains too much sugar. Give them a wide variety of foods to keep them stimulated. It is important to watch out for obesity, it is a common problem with primates in captivity. Always provide access to fresh clean water. It is also important to provide them opportunities for exercise. We recommend building an outdoor play enclosure equipped with ropes, swings, benches, and enrichment devices. Before a play session hide food items through out the exhibit and in the puzzle feeders. This will give them something to occupy there time while in the enclosure. The construction materials should be strong wire with a wood or metal frame. If you live in an are where it gets cold you will need to provide heating.

As in human adolescents, puberty in primates sends hormones surging through their bodies, which can cause behavior you haven't seen before. The behaviors vary among the different species of primates. Some get possessive of their owners or may seek out the company of humans of the opposite sex. In females you may notice they have started to cycle. In males you will see their bodies change and strength increase. They can become a bit irritable during this period and a bit unruly in some cases. In most instances they adjust. Many people think having them spayed or neutered helps reduce the unruly behavior, but scientific studies have proven the opposite. We do not recommend removing teeth, castrating, or neutering. If you feel you must do something about your monkeys canines, please discuss capping them with your vet. Tooth extraction can lead to jaw problems and teeth alignment issues, which could lead to early decay. If a primate has reached the point where it can't be worked with, the humane thing to do is to find an appropriate non-human primate companion for it and build a nice enclosure for them or find a suitable home for it with other primates. In the event of such circumstances we offer placement assistance to our customers. Owning a primate is a huge commitment. It is important to us that our customers understand the responsibilities of primate ownership. Primate ownership is not for everyone. It is important to educate yourself as much as possible on the species you plan to obtain. Understanding primate behavior is extremely important.
 
 
 

Vaccination and Testing Schedule

Vaccination or test Appropriate Age of Primate for Vaccine or Test
Measels, Mumps, and Rubella 1st shot- 14 to 16 weeks

2cd shot one month after first

3rd Shot six months after second

Tetanus same schedule as Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Rabies (Killed Vaccine only) six months of age, booster yearly
TB Test every 3-4 years
fecal (internal parasites) yearly
Blood Panel yearly as part of checkup

(This chart represents our recommendations on veterinary care. All of the information should be discussed with your veterinarian. Other tests may be recommended by your vet.)

It is a good idea to take your primate to the vet soon after you receive it and at least once yearly there after. Keep in mind that you may have a hard time finding a vet that has primate experience. If you are having trouble finding one let us know and we will try to help you find one. Always bring your primate to the vet in a proper pet carrier or squeeze cage. Strange animals and people might frighten the monkey, not to mention the possibility of the monkey being hurt by other animals. Monkeys can be unpredictable, play it safe while driving and put them in a carrier.
 

Dental Care

It is a good idea to practice preventative dental care. Tooth brushing can help prevent tooth decay. Be sure that you use a toothpaste designed for small children and toddlers. These varieties of tooth paste are less likely to cause problem if ingested. Like human primates have baby teeth which fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. The ages at which this transition occurs varies among species.