Guenons

Often referred to as "organ grinder's" monkeys," young guenons make gentle, trusting pets. If treated well, they usually have pleasing dispositions and like attention. However, as they mature or if they are mistreated, they are large enough to become a threat. The dispositions of adult guenons can be unpredictable, sometimes bordering on aggressive. The males can inflict serious bites with their sharp canine teeth. Therefore, it is inadvisable to keep them as house pets.

In zoos, guenons are generally a public favorite. They are kept in family groups or pairs, and are fed a mixed diet of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. While guenons do not breed in captivity as readily as some other types of monkeys, breeding is not impossible. In fact, some zoos have been successful at interbreeding various guenon species.

Rhesus monkeys have long been the staple to most scientist performing animal experiments. However, these monkeys have been getting more and more difficult to secure. Consequently, guenons have increasingly been used for medical and pharmaceutical experiments.

Guenons live a long time in captivity; some guenons have reportedly lived to be more than 20 years old in zoos. Indeed, one mona monkey lived to be 26 years old in a United States zoo. While their life span may be as high as 25-30 years, guenons in the wild probably do not live to such an old age.