Monkeys are intelligent, social animals that live in family groups for safety and stability. They often spend their days searching for food, urinating to mark territory and hanging out in trees. Because they are so smart, monkeys can also be innovative and learn new skills from one another. Vervet monkeys, for example, have developed a wide variety of alarm calls to communicate with each other about potential predators and other dangers. The monkeys use the different alarms to tell the others whether they should flee, climb to a tree or remain alert and watch for an approaching predator from below.
Most species of monkeys are diurnal (active during the day) and live in rainforests or other natural habitats. They are omnivores, but they also eat fruits and insects. They communicate with each other using vocalizations and physical displays, including facial expressions, body language and posture.
Some people keep monkeys as pets. This can be challenging, as monkeys need a lot of attention and love. They are prone to biting and may even hurt people. They can also be destructive, chewing furniture and other items in their enclosure. Pet monkeys can also carry the hepatitis virus, which can be deadly to humans.
Many people also use monkeys as research animals. Most researchers use macaques or marmosets. They are used in a wide range of research, including studying the brain to find treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s disease. For example, by using a drug that destroys a certain part of the brain, scientists were able to cause symptoms of Parkinson’s in marmoset monkeys.