Do spider monkeys make good pets?

Wildlife experts have found that monkeys generally do not make good pets. Lewis Greene, senior vice president at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, believes that exotic animals, like spider monkeys, should not be kept as pets.

Spider monkeys typically come from Central and South America. Like all monkeys, this species has the ability to become very violent towards people, particularly those who try to hold them captive or domesticate them. When kept isolated for long periods, spider monkeys develop mental problems that cause them to bite, choke and maim. They are also known to violently wrap their legs and tail around anyone nearby.