How Long Does a Finger Monkey Live?

Yes, much has been said about finger monkeys, but there are still so many things to know about these creatures, which have been considered as the smallest monkey on Earth. having such a tiny size, how long do finger monkeys usually live?

Apparently, not all sources cite the same number of years, but the average finger monkey lifespan is around 12 to 18 years, which highly depends on where they are currently living. Buzzle says that the duration of a finger monkey’s life differs when it stays in the wild and it is held in captivity.

Currently, these primates have become domesticated that people start to treat them as home pets like cats and dogs, possibly prolonging their lifespan.

According to a Finger Monkey blog site, finger monkeys or pygmy marmosets can live up to 12 years in the rain forests, which is their natural habitat. However, when they are secured within the facilities of the zoos, they can live longer up to 18 years.

But based on the Amazing List.net, finger monkeys can live within 15 to 25 years, depending on how much you take care of them. As a pet owner, if you provide the monkey with its appropriate needs, then it can live up to 25 years. But if you lack the will to give the proper attention and maintenance, then expect the finger monkey lifespan to go shorter than 20 years.

Reasons Why Finger Monkeys Live Longer In Captivity

You may wonder why the finger monkeys live longer in captivity than in the wild. Well, not all animals are safe in their natural habitat since they can become preys of huge predators.

Considering the fact that finger monkeys are tiny creatures, they can easily be eaten by large animals and birds. Yes, they have their own ways to defend themselves, they have their ways to escape when they are in trouble. However, the finger monkeys’ chances of winning a fight may be very low because of their small size, hence shortening the finger monkey lifespan. Escaping would be a much preferable way to keep themselves safe, but there are tendencies when they are caught.

There is also the difficulty in breeding when they are in the rain forests since they may be attacked by the predators when they least expect it. The adult finger monkeys are not the only ones in danger, but also the young ones that are not capable of moving very fast.

Apart from the predator-prey relationship, the finger monkeys may not live longer in the forests because their natural habitat is at risk of becoming unsustainable for them – unsustainable in terms of food and security.

Meanwhile, when they are held in captivity or in the care of human beings, pygmy marmosets are given enough food and are safe from getting eaten by wild predators. In cases when an individual has enough financial resources, he or she can construct a huge forest-like cage where the tiny creatures are securely kept, lengthening the finger monkey lifespan.