Facts About Monkeys

Monkeys are highly adaptable animals that can survive in a variety of habitats. They are omnivores, consuming both plants and animal parts to get their needed nutrients. However, most monkey species tend to lean more towards fruits as their main food source. The fruits that monkeys eat are often seasonal, so they move around their habitats to find the best fruit at different times of the year. In addition, they will eat leaves, bark, and insects when these are available.

Most monkeys live in large groups, called troops. The troops are usually made up of females with young and one or more males. Females will usually stay with the troop that they were born in and will not leave until after their babies are weaned. The troops are generally very social and the troops will work together to hunt and collect food. However, if a group is too large it may be difficult for them to eat enough. In this case the group will have to split into smaller groups and look for more food.

Monkeys have a high intelligence level and are very curious creatures. They use vocalizations and facial expressions to communicate with each other and can learn from watching other monkeys. For example, they can tell if another monkey is upset by looking at it’s face. They can also read body language, such as a monkey that is looking down or away.

Many monkeys have prehensile tails which help them to climb and hang from branches while eating. Some monkeys will also take their food down to the water to wash it before eating it. This is thought to prevent parasites and dirt from entering their digestive tracts.