Are Exotic Animals Your Passion? Unlock the World of Mini Monkeys as Pets!

Explore the Charm of Exotic Pets: Dive into the Universe of Mini Monkeys as Companions!

VividSelects
8 min readAug 9, 2023
Source: Pet Assure

For all those captivated by the charm of exotic animals, and especially those intrigued by the idea of having a petite pet monkey, this article is your ultimate guide. Get ready to dive into the captivating world of the 10 smallest monkey breeds on the planet — a collection of the most enchanting and delightful primates.

Monkeys, endearing and animated creatures, have found a place in hearts around the world. From their lively antics in wildlife parks and zoos to the sanctuaries that nurture them, monkeys are cherished ambassadors of the animal kingdom.

These playful and captivating beings come in a mesmerizing array of sizes and species, ranging from the grand to the diminutive. Some individuals even embrace the idea of sharing their homes with these tiny wonders, and who can resist the heartwarming charm of baby monkeys? Their innocence and vulnerability evoke emotions akin to caring for a human infant.

Today, our journey embarks on an extraordinary adventure as we unveil the top 10 tiniest monkey breeds inhabiting our planet. Each species is a testament to the diversity and wonder of the animal world, and we’re here to provide you with fascinating insights into these enchanting creatures.

Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast or a curious newcomer, we present you with a treasure trove of knowledge about these endearing small monkey breeds. Let’s embark on this delightful exploration and discover the world of the 10 most captivating miniature monkey breeds you’ll ever encounter.

1. Finger Monkeys

Source: PetHelpful

Meet the Enchanting Pygmy Marmoset, Often Dubbed the ‘Finger Monkey’

Enter the captivating world of the Pygmy Marmoset, the endearing primate commonly referred to as the ‘finger monkey.’ This remarkable monkey breed possesses a remarkable quality — it’s so petite that its height merely equals that of your own fingers. Indeed, the Pygmy Marmoset clinches the title of the world’s tiniest monkey, standing tall at a mere 5 to 6 inches at most.

With its furry countenance and expressive features, this diminutive wonder showcases a face that’s as captivating as it is furry. Its eyes sparkle with life, drawing you into its enchanting presence. Fascinatingly, despite its small stature, the Pygmy Marmoset has found itself embraced as a pet in numerous countries, even though it possesses a streak of assertive behavior. An undeniable fact remains — in its infancy, this little primate exudes an irresistible charm that warms the heart, yet as it matures, its spirited nature may introduce challenges of its own.

Pets: Yes

2. Tarsiers

Source: MaryBates

Meet the Utterly Endearing Tarsiers: Among the Cutest Monkey Breeds

Enter the enchanting world of the Tarsiers, a monkey breed that undoubtedly ranks among the most charming and delightful. Their most captivating feature? Their oversized, luminous yellow eyes. These eyes are so substantial that they seem to dominate the majority of their petite heads, adding to their distinctive appearance.

Tarsiers, while diminutive in size at 4 to 6 inches, possess a spirited and territorial nature. They engage in scent marking and other defensive strategies to assert their territory, even going as far as patrolling their ‘marked’ zones. Despite their stature, their courage knows no bounds.

Sporting a lengthy tail often exceeding the length of their petite bodies, Tarsiers exude a unique elegance. Their endearing looks are a striking contrast to their mild aggression, making them a mesmerizing and intriguing addition to the world of monkeys.

Pets: No

3. Common Marmosets

Source: Monkeyworlds

Tiny Wonders of the New World

Discover the captivating world of the Marmosets, a diminutive monkey breed belonging to the category of New World monkeys. Weighing a mere 300 to 500 grams and standing between 14 to 19 centimeters tall, these small wonders are adorned with a slender, elongated tail that nearly doubles their height.

Also known as the Cotton-eared Marmoset or the White-tufted-ear Marmoset, their names are a nod to their distinctive physical traits. A striking white forehead and tufts of white on their ears distinguish these endearing creatures.

Surviving on a diet comprising gum, saps, fruits, flowers, and small insects, these tiny beings display remarkable adaptability. Their petite size and amiable temperament make them a popular choice for those who wish to keep them as pets, adding a touch of charm and wonder to households around the world.

Pets: Yes

4. Squirrel Monkeys

Squirrel monkeys are yet another breed that is eligible to be domesticated. These monkeys are found in tropical regions, especially in South and Central America. Their species can be distinguished by their short and velvety fur.

Squirrel monkeys are usually between 10 and 14 inches tall, and they also sport a hairy, long tail. Even though they are legal to be kept as pets, they are very hard to train. If you’re comparing monkeys to dogs or cats, the real scenario is a lot different.

Monkeys do not defecate or urinate in one spot like other usual pets. Instead, they dirty the whole house sometimes out of mischief or plain boredom!

Overall, they have a generic monkey behavior and can throw childlike tantrums when domesticated.

Pets: Yes

5. Spider Monkeys

Spider monkeys are one of the rarest monkey breeds and are also on the list of endangered animals globally. Originating from the rainforests, they are every bit wild as they look. Moreover, there are over 14 species of this particular breed on Earth.

These monkeys are found in America, mostly in the Central and Southern regions. They are known to source their food from forests and live a normal primate life. Plus, spider monkeys have a decent height of about 33 inches, which makes their survival easier.

These monkeys are also blessed with a slim build that helps them move smoothly from tree to tree, escaping predators and sourcing food from trees.

Pets: No

6. Saki Monkeys

The Saki monkeys also called the White-Faced Sakis, are yet another small monkey breed. These tiny beings feature a height between 12 and 20 inches and weigh between 1 and 3 kilograms.

You can find around 16 species of this breed in the rainforests of Southern and Central America, and sometimes even around forest and highway borders. Their diet consists of not more than fruits, insects, flowers, and leaves.

Given their tiny height, they usually live in trees for the majority of their lifespan. However, sometimes they prefer going to the land to source food.

Pets: No

7. Howler Monkeys

Howler monkeys are a breed that features over 15 different species and further subspecies. They are usually between 22 and 36 inches tall and also feature cute round noses. Their most fascinating feature is their long tail.

Howler monkeys use their tails to grab nuts and fruits from trees. Moreover, their tails are strong enough to bear even body weight! Quite amazing, aren’t they?

This breed is usually found in large groups of 20 to 30 individuals who live together. Howlers are quite friendly initially but can start petty territorial fights and harm their counterparts.

Pets: No

8. Gibbons

Gibbons species feature over 40 different species and subspecies, including some that have unfortunately gone extinct. These species are around 30 to 31 inches tall and very friendly and sociable by nature.

Gibbons have a really loud voice and are found screaming most of the time. Essentially, this breed can be found only in the wild.

Pets: No

9. Macaques

The Macaque is a monkey breed that has 27 different species and subspecies. Their height falls between 16 and 28 inches, and they are mostly utilized for animal testing (human products). Since they belong to the old-world monkeys, they are very close to us, humans.

You can find Macaques in the rainforests of India, Sri Lanka, as well as the mountainous regions of Pakistan. These monkeys have a lifespan of more than 20 years.

Pets: Yes

10. Vervet Monkeys

Vervet Monkeys are found in South Africa and have around five species. These monkeys are herbivores in nature and usually resort to eating plants and plain vegetation. Vervet monkeys grow up to be as tall as 16–20 inches.

This breed is also accustomed to living in big groups. They are distinguished by their family members based on their screams.

Pets: No

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