Chimpanzees in Captivity - Pets

Almost all of the chimpanzees you see in the movies, on television, and in advertisements are babies. Because the baby chimpanzees are so appealing many people think they would like to have a chimpanzee as a pet. However, there are many reasons why this is not a good idea.

First, baby chimpanzees belong with their mothers. Every baby chimpanzee you see on television has been taken from its mother and raised by humans. Like us, chimpanzees experience a long childhood and are not considered adult until 13 - 15 years of age. During this long apprenticeship with their mothers and siblings, chimpanzees learn about being chimpanzees. They learn the subtle and complex communication system that consists of facial expressions, gestures, and vocalizations. They also learn the rules of chimpanzee behavior.

As chimpanzees reach puberty, starting at the age of about eight, they may begin to rebel against unfair treatment and can be dangerous to discipline. They are well on their way to their adult weight which can be as much as 150 pounds. At this age, they are often sent away from their human families and may end up condemned to life in a cage, alone, for the rest of their lives. Since chimpanzees can often live to be 50 years old, they can spend the majority of their lives paying for their few years as a cute pet.

Learn more about chimpanzees as pets from the savethechimps.org Web site.