Monkeys are found on every continent except Antarctica and they are omnivorous which means they eat plants as well as animals. Most monkey species live in trees but a few are able to adapt to living on the ground too. Monkeys have a very strong bite and therefore they must be handled properly to avoid injury. They are much stronger pound for pound than humans and if they become upset or angry they can easily injure or kill an adult human.
Monkeys have a high level of intelligence and many are excellent problem solvers. They can use tools and even understand numbers. Capuchin monkeys, for example, place nuts on a flat stone and then hit them with another rock to crack them open. They also use leaves, flowers, bark and roots as tools. They have the ability to recognize faces, voices and hands.
They are highly social animals and most monkey species live in groups called troops. They have complex social hierarchies and a variety of ways to reinforce their relationships within the group. One of the most common is mutual grooming, called allogrooming, which helps keep each other’s fur clean and free of parasites, as well as a way to express affection or make peace.
They are very active and move around their home range to find food. They travel long distances each day and when they find something new to eat they will leave behind seeds and other parts of the plant or animal. This can help the population of the plant or animal grow so it will be able to survive in its natural habitat.