Monkeys are fascinating animals, both in the wild and in captivity. They are often featured in films, television shows and books. Sun Wukong, the “Monkey King” in the Chinese classic Journey to the West, is one example. In some cases, monkeys are used as service animals for disabled people.
Most monkeys live in tropical rainforests in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Some, such as geladas and golden monkeys, are mountain dwellers, and Japanese macaques spend the winter in hot springs (kind of like monkey Jacuzzis).
Most species of monkey are social creatures that live together in groups called troops. They can have complex social structures, including one-male groups in which a male dominates all the females in the troop for mating purposes. Some monkeys are nocturnal, and their long fingers help them navigate through narrow branches in the dark forest canopy.
Their natural diets vary considerably between species. Some are frugivorous (fruit-eating), folivorous (leaf-eating) or insectivorous, but most have varied diets. They are able to calculate what types of food will be available at different times of the year.
Some monkeys are captured in the wild for use in research experiments. These studies can have a profound impact on monkeys and their health. Some of these monkeys are also used as pets, and they can become very bonded to their humans. Taking care of a monkey is a substantial commitment and requires a lot of attention to detail.