Monkeys are very intelligent animals with excellent memories, complex vocal systems and sophisticated social strategies. They have also been used to study many neurological and mental disorders including AIDS/HIV, autism, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. In addition, monkeys have helped develop some life-saving medicines.
Most monkeys live in groups called troops. Troops can be made up of females and their offspring, males, or both. Monkeys are able to explore a wide range of emotions within their troop and can love, squabble, mourn the loss of family members, and even laugh.
In their natural environment, monkeys travel throughout their home range in search of food. As they move, they spread the seeds from plants, flowers and fruits and keep their environments and habitats healthy. They also help maintain their strong social bonds and minimize stress.
Some monkeys are adapted to very cold climates, such as the Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), commonly known as snow monkeys, which bathe in hot springs to stay warm. Others are adapted to very dry areas, such as the savannas of Africa and the desert-like arid regions of central Asia, where monkeys often dig for water or drink from waterfalls.
Because monkeys require full commitment for their entire lifetime, they are not suited to being pets. Most people cannot meet their housing requirements and care needs. Moreover, monkeys can get into a lot of trouble both in captivity and in their natural environment. They are curious, so they’re likely to chew or break items such as toys, furniture, cords and leashes. They are also very active and can easily get into things like cleaning products, windows or doors.