BANGALORE: Dogs and cats, please move. Marmosets and savannahs are now here in Bangalore. If you are wondering what they are, fret no more. They are animals not native to India but are finding themselves homes in the city. The pygmy marmoset is a monkey which is barely six inches tall and weighs less than 500 gm. These furry grey-haired animals are found in South Africa and are like little gnomes with a lot of energy. They are immensely social animals that crave for human attention, say pet store ownersMarmosets are well suited for urban living as they are quite comfortable in the confines of an apartment. “I used to leave my two marmoset babies out to play in the garden. Soon, I saw that they were developing skin problems like rashes. They also feel intimidated by open surroundings and other animals. When I shifted them indoors, they seemed much happier” said Rohini Ram, a student and owner of a pair of marmoset. Marmoset breeder K R Das shares his insight, “They are extremely playful and have a humorous personality. Once you start watching a marmoset in action, it’s hard to tear your eyes away from them.” It’s not all cuddles and cajoles though as the owner must devote plenty of time with this animal. “They can get all haywire and mess up your home drastically if you leave them alone. Make sure you’re well read about this animal and know how to train one; or you’re in for a hard time as these babies are demanding and sensitive. They are prone to catching common human viruses like cold and fever,” he warns.The cost of marmosets vary. “You can adopt them for free if you’re lucky. If you are importing the animal, they can cost around $1,500. It’s better to get them online as they cost around Rs 1,000,” says Amid, owner of Wet Pets, a leading pet store.Another animal that is seeing an increase in demand for a pet is Bengal cat. The cat is a cross between a domestic cat and an Asian leopard. While the cat inherits many of the leopard’s traits, its temperament is purely domestic, say pet store owners. Sleek and muscular, they can actually do somersaults and jump high distances. “Bengal cats are in demand in Bangalore today. It is already highly popular abroad. It costs around `12,000 and could go higher due to the celebrity value attached to them,” says Ananth Rao, owner of a pet store in Shivajinagar.While the Bengal cat loves to pad around in water, which is immensely unusual for cats, they are also endowed with great athletic grace, a trait it shares with the Asian leopard. “I bought Whiskers four months back. He’s very adventurous and loving. He follows me around the entire house and even sleeps with me on my bed. He adores climbing wardrobes and balconies and goes as high as he possibly can. And suddenly out of nowhere, he drops down on my shoulders and scares me,” says Ritu Amit, homemaker and owner of a 14-month-old Bengal cat.Another cat that can compete with dogs in its size and is slowly gaining popularity in Bangalore is the Savannah. It gets its name from its place of origin — African Savannahs. The savannah is a tall and lanky cat measuring around 90 cms while standing. This feline is cross bred from African Servals. Most savannahs are spotted and they are identified by their long ears, small head and a huge body. “I bought my kitten after I came across an advertisement for this cat online. They cost as much as any other domestic cat would — around `15,000. Mindy is the apple of my eye. She has such an outgoing character that I feel bad to leave her alone even for an hour. When I get back home from work, till date she has never failed to welcome me with a gentle head-butt and loud grumbles meaning ‘why did you take so long,’” says Rohan P R, a former model, who owns Mindy, a three-year-old Savannah. “I put on a leash and take her for a walk every evening, as she’s more like a dog — tall and muscular, and needs more fresh air than normal domestic cats do. She even plays fetch,” he adds. Pet store owners say that these cats and the pygmy monkey are in demand and the prices are only expected to increase in the future. Ask them about the import of animals, and they reply that these animals are legally bred and sold.
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