Buying Bush Babies

Bush babies are nocturnal primates originating in Africa. They are found wild in the woodlands, savannas, plantations and thickets. Though known to be the smallest of all primates, some of them are even the size of a squirrel, bush babies are quite vocal. Buying bush babies as pets would be a great idea if you are ready to provide the animal with good care. Bush babies have a shrill sound much like the cry of the human babies and because of their face having a cute appearance they have earned the name as bush babies.

The bush babies generally stay in groups and usually as mother and children. So, while buying bush babies make sure the number of pets is more than one. As a bush baby owner you may take a look at the following information that would help you to know the nature and requirements of the animals and taking care of them.

Buying Bush Babies Tips

• While buying bush babies you should decide whether you are willing to buy a male or a female. Males are sometimes difficult to maintain because of their aggressive nature during the breeding season. Several males together may end up in fight. Females become aggressive after the birth of their babies.
• Before buying bush babies arrange for a cage before hand. You have to arrange a big sized cage that would be spacious enough to hold a large sized primate in captivity. But apart from being spacious the cage must also be fit for your pet bush baby. If you can not get a cage ideal for a bush baby you may purchase a cage for big primates and then wire the cage so that the your little pet can not escape.
• To make their living a comfortable one you may introduce some foliage inside the cage to create a virtual natural habitat.
• For buying a bush baby it would be ideal for you to visit a good breeder. In fact, for buying any pet animal you are recommended to get in touch with a reputed breeder. Breeders, especially specialized in breeding primates like bush babies would be the ideal source of getting your pet. The breeder would be able to tell you about the requirements and the genetic characteristics of the animal.
• You may have to take extra precaution for maintaining the primate. You are required to keep your pet clean and germ free as they have the habit of urinating often. In wild they urinate to trace their path and their nests in tree branches. Male bush babies spread the scent of their urine in order to mark their boundary and they become quite aggressive against intruders.
• Though bush babies are kept as pets by the African tribes men for ages but like all primates they are prone to many diseases and many of them are easily transferred to humans as well. So, wash the cage and the primate on a regular basis so as to avoid any incidence of diseases.
• In the year 1940 bush babies were the bearer of the fatal disease which wiped out a large chunk of the African population. So, if you are buying bush babies as pets make sure you have an easy access to veterinary doctors so that you can immediately take the little pet for a check up in case it gets affected by a disease.
• You are also required to be careful regarding the diet you provide to a bush baby. In wild the bush babies live on insects, lizards, mice and such. But the babies eat flowers, nectar, pollen and honey of wild bees. When the food gets scarce they mainly rely on acacia resin and albizzia trees.

Bush babies can not easily be domesticated. Unlike dogs and cats, they can not easily adapt well in captivity. They are wild animals and so you are required to be trained enough to raise them in good health. They have exceptionally sharp teeth and a bite can be quite painful and troublesome. So, be careful while handling them.