We sell very few, l would probably sell more if l were to 'cool off' the screening, or what was the other comment' stop trying to screw the hobby' because of the advertised prices.

I am not a primate man, never have been, never will be. Its not that l don't like them as a species, but it is down to the fact that l would never ever wish nor want to own them personally within my exotic collection.

Nerys has expressed views in the past where upon she would like to have Tamarins - espec the Cotton Top variety, but me, nope, just don't get it.

So what is it?

Why do keepers want to own primates?

R

__________________

Alot of people probs use them as fashion accessories like many breeds of dogs it makes the look and sound cool to say hey i own a so and so..........

But then again there will be people that are genuinly interested in them and its a hobby

__________________



Love and respect goes out to...........Snake pliskin, pliskins chains, LoveMySnakes J-Dee ,Finchy , sam69, Webby06_2007, Scaley, FooFoo & Ditta, tick, RONST3R, Diablo & Faith,Sinni, xPrincessx, Shell195 , Pouchie, Grumpymouth, HABU, Purejurrasic

Having worked with them on a proffesional level i am with Rory i really cant see the desire, i have worked with them in both labs and zoos and in a private collection and i am also curious as to what people see in them?

I have always assumed that people like them because they they think they are like children or little people and they will be their companion etc. I must admit I wanted one at one point but then I started to look into their case and requirements and decided it would take up more of my time than I devote to it so I just bought a dog instead. I would love a tasmainian devil but that will be something to consider in the extremely distant future if ever.

Having worked with many species but having had hands on with the smaller animals i can assure they are extremely unpleasant at times even the small ones,

I have a metal plate over my 5th metacarpel in my hand due to a break and even through a leather gauntlet a male cyno weighing no more than 7kg was able to break it clean in half resulting in re-constructive surgery.

I am with Rory the whole way when it comes to vetting people, primates are not toys and arnt like corn snakes or other reptiles where mistakes can be made without paying the ultimate price, primates of all sizes can and will continue to be in my mind dangerous unless in a facility of proffesional people.

I agree with what you guys suggest.

i've been looking at various posts where people with clearly no idea want to house some sort of "house"primate as you would a dog. They seem to think it's just like having a small child or something and rarely realise how difficult they are too please and the strength that they possess.

I havent worked with them before, but I used to have limited contact at a drugs testing facility where I used to work. They are not something I would consider owning - the biggest reason is due to respect. I simply could not match my level of care with anything they would experience in the wild - space, diet, freedom. I really do feel that primates are a step too far in terms of "exotic pets" - its almost like a bout of one-up-manship with people competing to have the most bizarre and awkward "pet".

__________________
"All I know is my gut says maybe"

Brachypelma albopilosum (Charlotte)
100's of Harvestmen
Member of the BAS and AAS.

Have to say I wholeheartedly agree with the above comments.

Yes, I think primates are fascinating and amazing animals. I enjoy researching them, watching documentaries about them in their natural environments but I would NEVER wish to own one on a personal level.

I simply do not feel that I could ever offer a primate all of it's advanced needs - basic needs are do-able for people but it is the complex needs they have that many fail to research that makes me feel I would never wish to keep primates.

It grinds my nerves to hear of people treating primates like children in thier homes living like a domestic animal - they are not nor should they be made to be a domestic animal. They are wild animals and should be given the repsect and care that they deserve!

Rant partially over - I may add more after I have slept some and my fingers heal from pinholes after sewing!

__________________


SITE NOT UP YET - PLEASE VIEW AT WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/GRACEFULCORSETRY/INDEX.HTM

Please sign the guestbook - feedback much appreciated

APOLOGIES FOR ANY PM'S I HAVE NOT REPLIED TO - SOME SAD PERSON ACCESSED MY ACCOUNT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!

I like to look at them but would not want to keep them at all .

Forget primates!
Get a homo sapien. They are free!

No DWAL required either!

How can you not want a gorilla in your lounge? Look at that cutesy pudgy squishy face. awww



(this is yawning and not some sort of banshee scream of impending death)

__________________

I love primates, and would dearly love to own them.

My personal love is with intellegence, and instict. I cant stand stupidity!

When you look into an animals eyes and they are looking back, you get that feeling of "somthing going on behind the eye" its amazing.

Having sat, with an orang for sevral hours in a zoo, (over the safter barrier and touching hands at one point) i am utterly in love.

Eye to eye with somthing intellegent is great, even better when its not a human.

Alot of people think i am arrogant, but it is down to being uncomfortable. I don't know how to come across well with "stupid" people, so i try to surround myself with more intellegent people than myself, i feel happier being the stupid person in a group than the smart one.

This carrys across with my other love, nature. Reticulated pythons and pit vipers (for instance) all see to have an intellegence about them. Calculating and acting(behaving?) in what seems to be a great mental capacity(instict?) which is why i love keeping and working and studying them.

Primates is just a step up! Problem solving, recognicion and learning. It truly amazes me.

I would dearly love to keep primates, but i am not in a position to do so. I would far rather see them through glass in a zoo, or 50feet away in the wild than keep one "sub standard" where i am now. I couldnt really meet the needs of most primates (possibly smaller species, but thats beside the point), and for that reason i dont keep any.

Over anything i would love a Chimp. They are somthing else in my opinion. Just Amazing. i cant really put it into words, but its pure wonder, amazement and ore when i look into their eyes.

Primates are good, but not in little cages, on leads or in houses....Thats my opinion.

__________________