Monkeys are intelligent animals that live in forests around the world. They are also social and demonstrate complex behaviors such as grooming, sharing food, defending themselves in battles with other monkeys, and helping other animals by providing shelter and protection.
They communicate with other monkeys using vocalizations such as barks, screams, grunts, squeaks, hoots, and wails. They use these sounds to tell other monkeys how they feel and what their intentions are.
Some monkeys have long tails that they use to signal when they are angry or afraid. They also use their tails to signal when they are about to attack another monkey.
Most monkeys live in tropical rainforests. Some monkeys, such as baboons, prefer drier regions where there is less rain.
Old World monkeys (African monkeys) are closely related to apes. They have opposable thumbs, no prehensile tails that can grip onto branches, nostrils that are close together and point downward, 32 teeth, cheek pouches, and hard, bare “sitting pads” on their buttocks.
New World monkeys (Latin American primates) have slender bodies and limbs, non-opposable thumbs, tails that are partially prehensile, noses that point outward, and 36 teeth. Some of them also have prehensile tails, which allow them to grasp and support their entire body weight.
Many species of monkeys are endangered, or at risk of extinction. This is because human activities such as hunting, logging, and urban development cause habitat loss. In addition, illegal pet trade and the growth of the human population contribute to their decline.