Squirrel monkey

Metabolic bone disease

SignsLimping, falling from branches, fractures, curved spine

PreventionPrimate pellets with vitamin D3 plus a calcium supplement. Install a UVB lamp. Avoid a fruit-heavy diet

Diabetes / obesity

SignsExcessive drinking and urination, weight gain, dull coat, cataracts

PreventionLimit fruit and sweets; base the diet on pellets, vegetables and insects. Weigh weekly and ensure exercise

Periodontal disease / tartar

SignsBad breath, drooling, avoiding hard food, facial swelling, brown teeth

PreventionHard pellets, insects and branch-chewing clean teeth naturally. Yearly oral exam and tartar removal

Intestinal parasites / bacterial enteritis

SignsDiarrhea, mucus in stool, bloody stool, weight loss, vomiting

PreventionFecal exam at intake and twice a year. Remove droppings from the floor daily. Avoid raw food

Respiratory infection

SignsCoughing, sneezing, runny nose, rapid breathing, reduced appetite

PreventionCatches human colds. Wear a mask and wash hands when you are unwell. Avoid temperature swings

Stress-related self-injury

SignsBiting the tail or arms, hair loss, stereotypic behavior, constant screaming

PreventionAvoid solitary keeping. Provide daily foraging puzzles, exercise time and social contact

Fractures from falls or collisions

PreventionCover light fixtures, fans and window glass. Secure branches firmly and put thick bedding on the floor

First aidDo not handle; keep warm and quiet in a dark box. No splint needed. See a vet the same day

Bite wounds from cage mates

PreventionWatch for rank disputes. Provide multiple hides and feeding spots; introduce newcomers gradually

First aidRinse the wound under running water and separate from the attacker. Bleeding or swelling: see a vet the same day

Electric shock / burns

PreventionCover all electrical cords or put them in cable boxes. Put guards on heaters

First aidSwitch off the power before touching. Cool burns with a cold wet towel and see a vet

Trapped tail or fingers

PreventionCheck where the tail is before opening or closing doors. Close cage doors slowly

First aidPress bleeding with gauze. If the tail hangs limp or is bent, see a vet the same day

B virus infection

RouteBites, scratches and saliva of monkeys (mainly macaques)

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water for 15+ minutes and seek medical care immediately. Do not handle bare-handed

Tuberculosis

RouteCoughing, droplets, close contact (also spreads from humans)

PreventionCoughing or weight loss: see a vet now. Keepers should have a yearly health checkup

Salmonella / Shigella

RouteFeces, urine, contaminated hands and equipment

PreventionThey eliminate anywhere. Always wash hands with soap after care

Herpes (from humans)

RouteHuman cold sores via saliva or mouth-to-mouth feeding

PreventionHuman herpes is fatal to them. No mouth-to-mouth feeding or kissing. Do not handle when you have mouth sores

Food

• Staple diet: primate pellets (with vitamin D3)
• Twice daily, morning and evening. Vegetables, insects, boiled egg and a little fruit as side foods
• Hide food so they forage and spend time eating

Water

• Replace both the water bottle and dish daily
• Changes in water intake signal illness. Check visually

Toys & play

• Puzzle feeders and perforated balls with hidden food
• Rotate ropes, hammocks and swings
• Foraging play: release live crickets to chase

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden nest box at the very top, large enough for the group to sleep together
• Line the nest box with fleece and wash it twice a week

Bedding & litter

• Cannot be toilet-trained. Cover the entire floor with pet sheets
• Change floor sheets daily; wash branches and shelves weekly
• Do not use softwood shavings, cat litter or sand

Cage / housing material

Sturdy welded-wire metal cage (with padlock)

Size & space

At least 180 cm tall and 120 cm wide. As large as possible

Layout

• Nest box at the top; arrange branches and shelves in 3D and change them occasionally
• Two or more feeding and water stations up on branches. They do not eat on the floor
• Thick bedding on the floor to cushion falls

Placement notes

• Bright by day, dark at night. Install a UVB lamp
• Smart enough to open latches. Use a double lock on the door

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let them move freely in a safe room for 2–3 hours every day
• During free-roam time, close windows, turn off fans and never take your eyes off them
• Lack of exercise leads directly to stress and obesity. Combine with foraging puzzles

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Below 18°C is dangerous

Humidity50–70%

Summer & winter

• In summer, keep below 28°C with air conditioning. Avoid direct sunlight
• In winter, keep above 22°C around the clock with a panel heater

Nail trimming

Worn down naturally on branches. If overgrown and catching on fabric, have the vet trim them. Restraint is dangerous as they struggle

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. They groom each other. Unkempt fur or hair loss signals illness or social stress

Other care

They rub urine on hands and feet. Wipe dirt with a damp cloth. Yearly dental check. Check ears for dirt and odor

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Close windows during free-roam time and control mosquitoes. Never take outdoors
• Keep away from balconies visited by crows or birds of prey

Foreign-body ingestion

They put anything in their mouth and open drawers. Keep medicines, cigarettes, batteries and small items in locked storage. Vomiting or loss of appetite: see a vet

Being stepped on

They come underfoot and climb your clothes. Check the floor as you walk; return to the cage during chores or visits

Getting pinched

Tails and fingers get caught in doors, drawers and cage doors. Fix doors with stoppers during free-roam time and lock drawers

Falls

They climb high and fall from light fixtures and curtain rails. Cushion landing spots. If they cannot move after a fall, see a vet now

Escape

They open latches and escape. Double locks and locked windows. If they escape, lure with companions' calls and favorite food; do not chase

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Get a thick towel
2. Cover the body and face with the towel to darken
3. Once released, return to the cage still wrapped in the towel
4. Rinse the wound under running water for 15+ minutes and disinfect

After the release

Deep wounds, swelling or fever: seek medical care the same day. Always tell the doctor it was a monkey bite

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight history, diet, stool photos, status of cage mates. Find a vet who sees primates in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and watch for a response. Normal body temperature is 37–39°C
• Count breaths by chest movement. About 30–50 per minute
• Place a hand on the chest to check the heartbeat. 150–250 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5+ minutes. Do not lift it to check
• For tail or limbs, press lightly on the heart side
• Heavy or unstoppable bleeding: see a vet now

Transport

• Darkened carrier lined with a towel; wrap hand warmers in cloth
• Transport with a companion if possible. Keep the car above 22°C